5 school districts join for first time in jazz showcase hosted by Lyndonville
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – These saxophone players from Albion – left to right include Isla DeBoard, Kailee Anstey, Carter Krull and Phoebe Allen – perform during Friday’s night Jazz Coffee House in the Lyndonville gym.
Lyndonville for many years hosted its own jazz event with coffee and desserts in a smaller gym at the district. This year the event was expanded for the first time to include all five districts in the county. About 700 people attended the event which was organized by the Orleans County Music Educators Association.
The music boosters groups from the five districts arranged for the refreshments. There were 20 tables on the floor of the gym and the bleachers were mostly full.
There was no admission charge. Donations were accepted to support the OCMEA Scholarship Fund for seniors pursuing a career in music.
The Medina Junior High Jazz Band plays “Thriller.” The group is directed by Kyla Leno, a Medina graduate.
The Holley Junior/Senior High Jazz Band performed two songs at the concert. Director Zach Busch is in back on the trumpet.
The Kendall High School Jazz Band is led by Lindsey Chalmers.
Kelly Follman (center), Lyndonville music teacher, directed an All Star Jazz Band of juniors and seniors from the five districts. Follman presented the idea of all five school districts performing in a jazz showcase that could rotate to other districts in the future.
Follman is retiring at the end of this year. She also performed with the other teachers to close out the concert. She said playing with all of her teacher friends was a big motivator in wanting to bring all five districts together for an evening of jazz.
The instrumental music teachers in the county played “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”
Lily Botsford has a solo in Lyndonville’s fifth and sixth grade jazz group, which is directed by her mother, Becky Botsford. The group played “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Becky Botsford, Lyndonville elementary music teacher, speaks on the microphone and welcomes the crowd to the first Orleans County Music Educators Association Jazz Coffee House. The Lyndonville band led off the concert.
These saxophonists play in Medina’s Junior High Jazz Band.
The Medina Senior High Jazz Band performs, including a soloist on saxophone.
