USU gets jazzy in Idaho
Utah State University music performers joined artists from around the world to perform and share their talents.
On February 20 to 23, the Utah State University Jazz Orchestra attended the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The festival is an annual event held in Moscow, Idaho.
Lynn J. Skinner, a former music director at USU and current director of the festival, said it began in 1968 with the local university and a few high school bands in Moscow. This year the music festival, named after the jazz music legend, included 850 entries from around the country. Competitions and clinics were held throughout the festival for these jazz performers from the elementary to college levels.
There were also a number of professionals who filled the four nights of the jazz festival with major concerts. These professionals came from around the world including countries such as Russia, Japan, Brazil, England and Ukraine. “Every artist who stepped on stage wanted the homerun. They wanted their audience to never forget their performance,” Skinner said.
According to www.jazz.uidaho.edu/tribute/default.htm, the festival’s Web site, Lionel Hampton and the University of Idaho have partnered to showcase America’s jazz music tradition and promote music education. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho has become a nationally acclaimed event, featuring four days of concerts, clinics and student competition.
“The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will continue to be one of the foremost and significant events of its kind in the world. Built upon first-class jazz artistry, the love of and belief in jazz music and education, the support for teachers in the schools and the enjoyment and satisfaction of the student participants, the Festival continues to flourish with each passing year,” the site reported.
Larry Smith, director of the USU Jazz Orchestra, said that the competition gave them the opportunity to perform and enjoy the great jazz musicians of our time.
“It’s just a great experience. There’s a huge number of guest artists that play and we always get to hear some of the new young players and singers. That’s why we love to go,” he said.
The USU Jazz Orchestra performed in the Thursday competitions. Eight members of the orchestra also competed in solo competition.
“It’s a good experience to get constructive criticism and to get nervous in front of an audience,” said Josh Skinner, a student in music education and bass player in the orchestra.
Jesse Shaler, a student in guitar performance, said, “I felt that our band played to the best of their ability, despite critical adjudication.”
Katie Proudfit won the Outstanding College Alto Solo. In junction to this award Proudfit was given the opportunity to sing during one of the main concerts.
“It was a good experience and an honor to sing with a lot of professionals,” she said.
The jazz festival gave the orchestra a chance to hear some of the great performers from around the world and the opportunity to show off their own abilities.
Skinner said, “They did a great job. [Larry Smith] always has a fine group.”