Decreasing the jazz age

Andrew Edwards

It takes months to prepare for a 30-minute performance, but students

in Marine View Middle School’s Jazz Ensemble seem to enjoy every

second of it.

“I love performing, singing and dancing,” 13-year-old Amanda

Clifford said.

Getting together for practice sessions in early mornings and at

night, members of the ensemble and director Lynn Silver have been

hard at work since October preparing a February performance of “Only

in America.” The singing and dancing tribute to popular music covers

styles spreading from rock ‘n’ roll to soul to Latin rhythms.

Before 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, members of the Jazz Ensemble

were already on the move, singing and stepping to moves choreographed

by sixth-grade teacher Karen Morse.

Already active, the ensemble’s director encouraged them to

increase their momentum.

“Come on you guys, we need lots of energy,” Silver said.

For much of the program, students in the ensemble lined up to

dance and sing in unison, but at points in the show, children stepped

up and showcased individual skills, singing solos, pairing up to

tango or cartwheeling across the stage.

By the time the rehearsal was over, the class had had a workout.

“By the end of the show we were panting,” 13-year-old Hayley Toler

said.

Boasting a set list that could make some radio DJs jealous, “Only

in America” features hit songs like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” the

Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and “Turn the Beat Around,” a song made

popular by both Vicki Sue Robinson and Gloria Estefan.

The diverse selections benefit students by introducing them to a

wide variety of musical styles, Silver said.

“It’s great for the kids because it spans from, I think, the 1930s

to the present day,” she said.

The class is working toward a show at the Carnation Stage at

Disneyland on Feb. 26. They also are planning to perform an

abbreviated version of “Only in America” at the Irvine Hyatt on Jan.

16.

To join the ensemble, students must be enrolled in the seventh or

eighth grade and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average. Students

interested in the program also must pass a competitive audition.

Last year, more than 90 students tried out for 17 openings.

“It usually takes me about five days of after-school auditions,”

Silver said.

Most students who sing with the ensemble during their seventh

grade year re-audition and stay in the program while in the eighth

grade.

“In seventh grade, when you do it, it’s like, ‘I don’t want the

year to be over,’” 13-year-old Nicole Rahan said.

Once on board, members of the ensemble spend a lot of time

together, practicing on alternate school days and meeting two Monday

nights each month.

The group becomes “one big family,” 12-year-old Holly Slevcov

said.