Boardman bands jazz up the holidays

Boardman High School Jazz Ensembles I and II will present their annual Holiday Jazz Concert Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center.

Traditionally, this concert features a few holiday selections and some standard and mainstream jazz pieces. Jazz I selections include “Santa Baby” and “The Christmas Song,” with vocals by Katelyn DeLadurantey.

The top group will also perform “A Big Band Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “Too Close for Comfort.”

Jazz Ensemble II selections will include “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Up On The Housetop,” “How Sweet It Is (to be Loved By You)” and “Comin’ Home Baby.”

The ensembles are under the direction of Thomas M. Ruggieri. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble I will be performing at the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati in January. This is one of the biggest honors the group has ever earned as more than 150 performing groups from middle school through college apply to perform at the conference each year.

Only about 35 groups are selected through a blind audition process. The BHS Jazz Ensemble I is one of only four jazz groups chosen and the only high school jazz ensemble.

The BHS Wind Ensemble had the honor of being selected to perform at last year’s conference.

While in Cincinnati, Jazz Ensemble I will also perform a set at the famous jazz club, The Blue Wisp.

Jazz I and Jazz II will be performing at the Eastwood Expo Center Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. as part of the Fine and Performing Holiday Arts Festival, sponsored by the Art Outreach Gallery at the Eastwood Mall.

Visit www.boardmanband.org for more information about the Boardman Jazz Program.