Michael Ives represented Titusville High School at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 2 Jazz Band Festival, which was held from February 16 to 18 at Cathedral Prep High School in Erie.
In order to participate, students in grades 10 to 12 must audition with a jazz etude in November for selection and placement in one of four different jazz bands. Ives was chosen to play the bass trombone in a band under the direction of Carl Miller of Cochranton. Concert selections included "Rocky Road", "Aftershock", "Big Block Blues", "Moondance", and "It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)". |
THS band director Kevin Vinson assisted Ives with preparing both the audition etude and the concert. Through this process, Ives was able to learn more about playing in various jazz styles and try some improvisation.