It’s performance time for MTHS musicians

The MTHS jazz band performs at the 2012 Hot Java Cool Jazz event. (Photos courtesy of Hot Java Cool Jazz website)
The MTHS jazz band performs at the 2012 Hot Java Cool Jazz event. (Photos courtesy of Hot Java Cool Jazz website)

By Doug Petrowski

Two concerts next week begin a busy period of activities for Mountlake Terrace High School music students, with performances scheduled for the orchestra, symphonic band and the jazz band, in addition to a fundraiser for the program.

The orchestra is set to perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Mountlake Terrace High School. Then on Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., the symphonic band, the wind ensemble and the chamber winds take the stage for the Spring Band Concert.

On Tuesday, March 12, the MTHS Music Boosters are holding a fundraiser at Red Onion Burgers, 21005-44th Ave. W., Suite 101, from 5-8 p.m. A portion of restaurant sales will be donated to the MTHS music program, with proceeds earmarked for a possible band trip to Vienna, Austria, in 2014.

The MTHS Jazz 1 band has two special performances in March. On Friday, March 16, the jazz band will perform with Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Brian Lynch at Mountlake Terrace High School. For more information about this special intimate concert, contact Sherrill Leppich at 425-478-1989 or at mthsmusicboosters@gmail.com.

The Jazz Band's Ryan Leppich on drums.
The Jazz Band’s Ryan Leppich on drums.

The MTHS Jazz 1 band has been invited back to participate in  this year’s Hot Java Cool Jazz concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. The 18th annual edition of this special night of high school jazz is scheduled for Friday, March 22. MTHS Jazz 1 will be performing with bands from Garfield, Roosevelt, Ballard and Newport High Schools. Tickets for Hot Java Cool Jazz are $20 and are available at Starbucks, 22803-44th Ave. W. All ticket sale proceeds from the Mountlake Terrace Starbucks are donated to the MTHS music program.

MTHS Jazz 1 has already brought home awards this school year from jazz ensemble competitions. At the Clark College Jazz Festival last month, the band received a second-place award, with jazz pianist Taylor Griffin and drummer Ryan Leppich picking up individual awards.

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