Like the championship basketball team that returns all five starters, or the football team that brings back its entire offense, so has the jazz band at Harlan Community High School.
Following a state championship run a year ago, 11 seniors return to form the nucleus of an outstanding music group that is hoping to make some noise once again at one of the state's most exciting high school music events next Tuesday, April 14.
Last year, director Steve Britt, in his sixth year at the helm of the jazz band, brought home his first state title following top four finishes in his previous five years at the jazz championships. Now, in his seventh year, the focus with such an experienced group returning, is on the hopes of a repeat, and the music students are excited to see if they can pull it off.
"It's an extra special group for me because this year's seniors were my first sixth-grade class," said Britt. "Literally my first lessons that I taught were to these kids.
"To see them grow and mature as people and musicians has been amazing. We've really had this whole experience together all the way through."
As the HCHS band readies for what promises to be an exciting trip to IJC Tuesday, they'll focus on that "experience" that has brought them through the year. The band is loaded with experienced talent, and has had an awesome contest season that has featured many of the senior members of the band.
"I knew with so many seniors it would be important starting off this year to feature as many of them throughout the school year as possible, and we did," said Britt. "We're hoping to show off that depth at the championships."
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HCHS Jazz has a tradition of excellence at the Iowa Jazz Championships, placing in the trophy class (8th place or higher) in all of the years the championships have been held. The bands have won state titles in 1999, 2001 and 2008, and have placed second numerous times.
They'll take the stage at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday to perform in class 3A at the Convention Center in Des Moines, against 14 other bands from across the state with the same aspirations as HCHS Jazz Experience.
If the band happens to be one of the top two bands selected from the day-long performances, it will join the other 3A band in a so-called "battle of the bands" in the nighttime finals to determine first and second place.
Britt said the band this year, like last year, has that "wow" factor and is enthusiastic for a top finish. It has won all of the contests it has entered this season, and judges have given the band high praise. "We've gotten some amazing reaction from some people that usually are a pretty tough sell," said Britt.
Yet everyone knows that jazz is subjective, and the three judges that determine the fate of each band during the day have their hands full in selecting the top two from a host of outstanding groups. Britt said he's hopeful the selections the band has put together for the state championships is one that the judges and audience will appreciate.
The repertoire this year is more of a contemporary effort, led by the likes of Pat Metheny, Tim Davies and Fred Sturm. Saxophonist Dana Velthoff will be featured on the ballad If I Could. Other tunes include the 3/4 blues piece JJJ Blues, and the jazz rock Chronometry. The band also is looking to add the jazz standard It's All Right with Me to the line-up, to further show off the group's soloing abilities.
Other soloists planned for the day include Colin Bieker, Krista Garrett, Geoff Bryant, Nick Hadfield, Lisa Garrett, Jeff Johannsen, Nathan Johnson and Nate Mages.
"It's a pretty contemporary set," said Britt. "We could have gone a number of different ways with this group. It's just neat to see how it evolved this year."
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The road to the championships isn't easy, admits Britt. Iowa has some of the finest musicians and jazz programs in the nation. The likes of Pella, Independence, Winterset and Centerville are among the top bands in class 3A, just to name a few.
But Harlan Community is in their company and hopes to compete well.
"We've had a good run this year," said Britt. "Hopefully we can put together the right set and play to our potential. This band has amazing depth. In every single section it's strong, and has made my job very easy this year.
"The challenge always is finding the right mix of music. We'll continue to fine-tune this week in preparation for IJC. It will be exciting."
