About the Pattonville High School Jazz Ensemble
Under the direction of Mr. Dennis McFarland, the Pattonville High School Jazz Ensemble meets daily as a part of the PHS Fine Arts Department curriculum. Students are selected through an audition process, and must be concurrently enrolled in band (or another performance ensemble at PHS). Members of this group study various eras, artists and styles of jazz throughout the year.
Performance oppurtunities for the Jazz Ensemble include several concerts at PHS, the annual Varsity Drill Team Variety Show, the PHS Sunday of Jazz as well as other school district and community engagements. Most recently, the students have had the opportunity of performing at the Jazz in the Meadows competition in Chicago, at the Big Apple Classic in New York City, and at the Kirkwood Brewery as a guest of the Dave Dickey Big Band. At the students' most recent competition this past month in New York City, the Pattonville Jazz Ensemble received first place in their respective category and then went on to receive recognition as the Grand Champion of the Festival.
Furthermore, while the Jazz Ensemble has not only had the opportunity to perform and compete, the Pattonville Jazz Ensemble also receives many opportunities to interact with professional jazz artists and clinicians each year. Over the years, they have seen many jazz greats in concert including the Count Basie Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin and the Big Phat Band, Bill Watrous, Wayne Bergeron, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny, and Mike Metheny.
Performance oppurtunities for the Jazz Ensemble include several concerts at PHS, the annual Varsity Drill Team Variety Show, the PHS Sunday of Jazz as well as other school district and community engagements. Most recently, the students have had the opportunity of performing at the Jazz in the Meadows competition in Chicago, at the Big Apple Classic in New York City, and at the Kirkwood Brewery as a guest of the Dave Dickey Big Band. At the students' most recent competition this past month in New York City, the Pattonville Jazz Ensemble received first place in their respective category and then went on to receive recognition as the Grand Champion of the Festival.
Furthermore, while the Jazz Ensemble has not only had the opportunity to perform and compete, the Pattonville Jazz Ensemble also receives many opportunities to interact with professional jazz artists and clinicians each year. Over the years, they have seen many jazz greats in concert including the Count Basie Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin and the Big Phat Band, Bill Watrous, Wayne Bergeron, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny, and Mike Metheny.