University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Jazz Festival

The Ladysmith High School Jazz Ensemble traveled this past Saturday to Eau Claire to participate in the 2011 Eau Claire Jazz Festival. The group participated in the High School Big Band portion of the competition and came home with a second place finished in the Class D category (Schools with an enrollment of less than 400 students). The group performed the fiery Latin piece “Holy Habanero!” with soloists Junior Levi Strahm and senior Andrew Hetke receiving high praise from the judges. The group also performed classic Artie Shaw tune “Begin the Beguine” featuring senior Clarinetist Bethany Stoll as the featured soloist and senior tenor saxophonist Anna Ringstad on a brief solo as well. The group ended their performance with the high energy “Big Swing Face” featuring soloists Senior Kassie Krell on piano, Andrew Hetke on trombone and junior Jared McHugh on trumpet. The tune was a perfect ending to a great high energy performance from an outstanding jazz ensemble. This fine group of young men and women did an outstanding job of representing the community and school as well.