With the recent announcement of audition results, the 2021-2022 City High Jazz season is now officially underway. 

Auditions took place the week of August 30 through September 3, and results were released late Friday. Tension among bandmates was high as auditions were back in-person this year, as opposed to the virtual audition process last year during the pandemic. However, it’s safe to say that City High Jazz is back in full swing. 

As the City High music department gradually returns to a more normal year, live performances and competitions are back. This includes the City High Jazz Showcase, one of the program’s biggest yearly events. The showcase will take place in the new addition this year, bringing a fresh face to the annual tradition.

Jazz band director Aaron Ottmar emphasized the importance of this return to normalcy within City High’s music department.

“Being able to get back to performing and having those experiences, I think it really means a lot to the students and me,” Ottmar said. “I just love when students have that moment of, ‘I love doing this.’ I love seeing that as a teacher because it reminds me of why I do what I do.”

After a year of uncertainty throughout the music department, Ottmar is looking forward to the City High Jazz program’s upcoming season.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Ottmar said.