Hamburg Area High School hosted Jazz Jam on Feb. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hamburg Strand.
Hamburg band director Megan Kline hopes students gained a “real-life” experience with jazz.
“They have the great opportunity to perform with the professionals and see what it’s really like. They learn many jazz standards and the greatest beginning techniques to improvise,” she said. “We are so fortunate to have Our Town Foundation, Mrs. Clare Benz (HAHS Career Specialist, who is also a member of OTF), and the Hamburg Strand Theater. Mike Eben and I thought it might be different and fun to try a new venue for the Jazz Jam, including popcorn and theater seats. The Strand was a wonderful, intimate venue for this particular event.”
Jazz Jam included Hamburg’s entire Jazz Ensemble of about 13 students, Middle School students and a few students from other schools.
Kline explained that Mike Eben, retired music educator and jazz musician, coordinates the Jazz Jams and asks Berks County schools to host the event. They are supported and funded by Project Penske and The Reading Musical Foundation.
“Mike schedules professional jazz musicians to perform and also play along with the students. He chooses jazz standards and blues charts for the students to read and then all of the kids have an opportunity to improvise with the groups,” said Kline.
This was Hamburg’s 2nd time hosting a Jazz Jam within the past few years.
“I really enjoy working with Mike, it’s a great way to meet some of the professional jazz artists from around the area, and it promotes jazz education for Berks County. We had a small handful of students who attended from other schools,” said Klein.
The jazz program at Hamburg is growing program.
“Mrs. Carey Freeman has the Middle School Jazz Band and provides a great feeder program for our High School students. She has over 25 students who participate with her and learn the basics of jazz. And, at the High School, we do our best to stay active! We perform for the community whenever possible and we attend multiple jazz master classes and festivals throughout the season,” she said.
Jazz Jam was open to any student interested in jazz.
“Any student who wanted to participate was able to bring their instrument and play!”
Jazz Jam’s are always free and open to the public to attend.
