Jazz ensembles present holiday concert

The Boardman High School Jazz Ensembles One and Two 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 One selections include “Sleigh Ride,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The top group will also perform “Mack the Knife,” “Jump Jive An’ Wail,” “In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning” and “Straighten Up and Fly Right” all with the vocal talents of Luke Hagerman, Rachel Ruggieri and Zach Stover.

Jazz Ensemble Two selections will include “Christmas Fantasy for Jazz Band,” “Sack O’ Woe,” “Cold Duck Time” and “St. Louis Blues.” Both bands will showcase many talented young soloists and some high-energy ensemble playing.

The ensembles are under the direction of Thomas M. Ruggieri. This concert is our annual gift to the community, so donations will not be accepted at the doors, which open at 6:15 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble One is slated for a number of performances during the month, including the Retired Teachers’ Luncheon on Wednesday and in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney on Dec. 29 as part of the Boardman Spartan Marching Band’s trip to Florida Dec. 27–Jan. 1.

Jazz 2 is gearing up for its “rock and roll” season of playing at some home basketball games in January and February. Both groups already performed this year at a pasta dinner fundraising event for the Boardman Band and Orchestra Parents in early November.

Visit www.boardmanband.org for more information about the Boardman Jazz Program and all of the Boardman Bands.