When jazz band audition results were posted after school on, students from every grade crowded around the bulletin board in the band hallway. Caleigh Stanier ‘21, placed in Jazz Ensemble, had a mixed reaction to getting into the elite band.

“I think my audition on baritone saxophone went really well– the [bari-sax] is very forgiving. I’m proud of what I did,” Stanier said. “But I’m actually really nervous about the people in the band because they’re a lot older–there are seniors that have been doing this for three years.”

As one of the three sophomores put in Jazz Ensemble, Stanier is one of the few underclassmen making music with a group made up largely of upperclassmen.

“Upperclassmen actually know who I am now because my name was on that list. I got handshakes and congratulations from people that I’ve looked up to that have never even known I’ve existed, which was kind of validating,” Stanier said.

Mr. Ottmar will be directing all four jazz bands this year.

“We had a great audition process with 91 students auditioning for this year’s City High jazz,” said Ottmar. “It is an honor and privilege to work with so many students that are dedicated to jazz as an American art form and I look forward to working with each and every jazz band, including some jazz combos as well.”

Ottmar heard all 91 students play in an audition process lasting over a week. Elliot Dunwald ‘22 auditioned for the first time this year.

“I auditioned for jazz band because I was on and off studying jazz and blues with my piano teacher, and it’s interested me since seventh grade,” Dunwald said. “I had a friend who played [piano] and got me into it and have been playing ever since.”

Ottmar is excited to see how the bands and individual students develop their musicianship throughout the year.

“I am eager to see how our numerous students will achieve success like this in other honor jazz bands in addition to our jazz competitions this upcoming year,” Ottmar said.

Dunwald was nervous about his audition but was happy with the outcome.

“I was very surprised on what band I got placed in because I didn’t like how I auditioned. My goal before auditioning was to make the second band [lab], but I think it will be a challenge this year to play at a higher level,” Dunwald said.

Sebastian Loria-Eivins ‘21 was placed in Jazz Lab.

“I auditioned for jazz because [it] is something that I want to get even better at,” Loria-Eivins said. “I also thought it was a lot of fun to be in a band with a lot of my friends.”

Upcoming events for the jazz bands include the Chicago Jazz Trip, which will take place Friday, February 22 to Saturday, February 23. The first concert for all of the jazz bands is the Jazz Showcase at City High, which will be on February 2 in the cafeteria.

“I look forward to a successful year with City High Jazz,” said Ottmar, “I hope that you can check us out this year through performances around the area.”