Jazz Singers Attend Clinic
by Josh L. Hoelscher
March 23, 2008
The Pierce High jazz choir singers took a trip to Columbus to sing in the Nebraska Choir Directors Association Vocal Jazz Festival. The event began on March 17 at 8 o’clock in the morning at Columbus High School. Singers from Cross County, Scotus Central Catholic, Stanton, Wayne, Pierce, Millard South, Lincoln Southeast, Yutan, Arlington, Tekamah-Herman, Omaha Central, Alma, Alliance, Bellevue East, Lincoln Northeast, and Columbus attended.
Pierce singers who went were Sarah Krohn, Kara Polt, Allison Hubert, Eva Chavez, Jon Canaday, Christian Fisher, Colby Geiger, Sam Kaschke, Colby Jansen, Maggie Echternacht, Kathy Venteicher, Megan Albrecht, RaeLynn Sybrandt, Kristin Canaday, Tony Craft, Josh Bresler, Kyle Rohrich, and Tad Fuchs.
Each school had a break-out session on jazz singing and jazz repertoire. Director of the jazz break out session was Chadron College’s Dr. Joel Schreuder. Camille DeVore led a break-out session. She is a performer and a teacher. And Vijay Singh also helped with the break-out sessions.
Jon Canaday, Josh Bresler, and Allison Hubert were chosen to sing in the N.C.D.A Honor Jazz Choir at the Nebraska Choral Directors’ Convention this summer at Doane College. Paris Rutherford will direct the jazz choir. (He was the jazz instructor of Nora Jones.)
Choir teacher Mrs. Constance Jessen said, “It was a wonderful learning experience. There were excellent jazz clinicians, and the choir kids are ready to go to districts on April 18 at Norfolk High School.”
Allison Hubert said, “It was a good experience to hear Vijay Singh and hear critiques to make a performance better.”
