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Dr. Jeffrey Lovell, Associate Professor of Music, and Dr. Justin Morell, Professor of Music, co-directors of The 芭乐视频官网 Jazz Orchestra, traveled with six 芭乐视频官网 students to participate and attend the in New Orleans, La., the nation鈥檚 jazz birthplace, in January. The immersive experience, part of the annual Jazz Education Network Conference, was made possible through the Strohman Fund for Jazz Studies, established by Rich Wengert, a community friend, and an LVC grant.

The students, representing the College鈥檚 Music Production, Music, and Music Education programs, were immersed in jazz through attending clinics, presentations, and concerts. On the conference鈥檚 concluding day, Taiylor Adams 鈥�26, Owen Haas 鈥�26, John Mattiko 鈥�26, Liesl Miller 鈥�27, Rhy Sherman 鈥�26, and Aidan Younkin 鈥�27, accompanied by Professor Morell on drums, performed a short set of music before a panel of adjudicators, who provided meaningful feedback. Morell, LVC鈥檚 Composer-in-Residence, also gave a presentation on composition to a packed room.

鈥淣ew Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz and still central to its culture,鈥� said Morell. 鈥淭he conference was a rare chance for our students to be immersed in that rich history and to interact with some extraordinary jazz musicians.鈥�

Haas, who played trumpet at the conference, appreciated this opportunity on several levels.

鈥淢y favorite aspect was performing before the judges, including their feedback. Based on past experiences, this can be stressful, but seeing our judges smile and congratulate us took a weight off my shoulders. Funding from the Strohman Fund was incredibly helpful, especially since my sister is also in college. Being able to go on the trip without putting financial stress on my parents was amazing. I am infinitely grateful to Mr. Wengert.鈥�

Preparation for their festival performance began at the start of the fall semester and included performances for local high schools a week before the spring semester began. Then, they were off to New Orleans.