27 all-star students to play big-band jazz

Jazz musicians from four high schools will play together for the first time at the next Tuesday noon recital, April 16, at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., Johnstown.

The Cambria County All-Star Jazz Band comprises students from Forest Hills, Greater Johnstown, Richland and Westmont-Hilltop High Schools. They will meet to rehearse the morning of their performance.

Band directors from the four schools put together the program and will take turns conducting. They are Eric Pfeil, Joshua Brumbaugh, Mitch Custer and Jerrod Cannistraci. The program ranges from Camila Cabello’s Havanna to an arrangement of Sesame Street.

The undertaking takes a special effort among four districts. Pfeil, who had the idea, commented:

“Music education, and specifically music education through performance, can strive and grow through the collaboration of local music programs and their all-star members.”

George Fattman, chairman of the recital series, added: “Imagine how much these young performers grow in capability and confidence as a result of a few hours together.”

Lunch follows the half-hour concert, and the students will be there to meet their audience.

There is no charge for the program or lunch, so that they are open to all. The entire series of 12 programs and lunches a year is already underwritten by donations.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: 27 all-star students to play big-band jazz