SophiaReinhardt

This year, Marian choir students had the opportunity to get more involved in music and become part of a jazz ensemble. Ms. Madeline Reddel, the vocal music teacher, came up with the idea and started the ensemble. 

Marian’s current jazz ensemble consists of eight members: juniors Tessa Brooks, Hailey Eriksen, Ellie Fogarty, Abi Howard, Jadin Martinez, and Mia Ramirez, sophomore Morgan Hockney and freshman Clara Kizer. They have performed at Marian’s annual Christmas and pops concerts, as well as at the Durham museum to show their skills and present themselves as a group for the first time. Their set list features songs, “Arlington” by The Whaling Jennies and a mashup of “Prototype” by Outkast and “Limit to Your Love” by James Blake.

Reddel wanted to start the ensemble because she is a jazz singer herself. She wanted to, “share my strengths with my students and make them excited about other genres of music.” She wanted there to be a group where students can sing for fun, while also expanding their knowledge of music. “I enjoy getting together to sing beautiful hard chord songs,” Reddel said, “Everyone is a vocal jazz star.”

Reddel also mentioned how independent the group is. “It’s very student-led and a close knit group,” Reddel said. 

“It’s comfortable, and the schedule is more flexible which is nice,” said sophomore Morgan Hockney. “It’s also fun to sing jazz and alternative music, instead of just choral music like in regular choir class.”

Hockney added that she loves the jazz ensemble environment. “It isn’t super competitive, it’s just a fun time.” 

If you are interested in joining jazz ensemble, auditions will be held at the end of the year. You must be enrolled in either concert choir or select women’s choir in order to audition.

Hockney advises anyone interested, “Take time to practice and perfect your audition. Practice your scales and show your understanding of the subject.” Because the jazz ensemble is a smaller group, limited people are selected for it. “Just go for it and have fun!” Hockney said.

The jazz ensemble will have their final performance of the year at Marian’s annual spring concert, which will be held on Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m.