NS Jazz Shines at Festival
  North Scott Press, March 3 2004

  MACOMB, Ill. - Receiving a rare standing ovation, North Scott High School Jazz 1 placed first in the 4A division and   was named Grand Champion overall at the Western Illinois University Jazz Festival Feb.   20-21 in Macomb. Jazz 2 received first place in the second-band division.

  Recognized for their outstanding musicianship were: Meredith Abbott on trumpet; Kelsey Dunn on alto sax; Zan Preston
  on guitar; Lee Burress on trumpet; Kristena Easter on alto sax and clarinet; Shawn Spencer on guitar; Luke Carlstrom
  on bass; and Lindsey Drenter on vocals. "The bands played very well, and it was nice to see them get recognized for all
  of their hard work," said jazz band director Mike McMann. "The best thing about this weekend was the amount of spirit
  and heart they put into their performances.

" They received a standing ovation after their set, which I have never before seen at a festival," he said. "The audience
  was full of students and adults from other schools. They didn't even have to applaud, much less stand up. And while
  receiving first place was great, that reaction from a traditionally indifferent crowd is what I will really remember."
 
  The North Scott community will have an opportunity to hear these outstanding musicians, along with North Scott's
  talented vocalists, at the high school's annual Swing Show March 26 and 27.

  Members of the jazz bands are: Jazz 1 - Reeds:  Kristena Easter, Rachel Talbot, Melanie Drenter, Lindsay Eickstaedt,
  Steve McElhiney and Derek Rude; Trumpets: Lee Burress, Bernie Haas, Drew Thompson, Kevin Gentz and Karah
  Underwood; Trombones: Mark Petersma, Adam Schroeder, Seth Thompson, Diane Ferry and John Hennigan;
  Rhythm: Shawn Spencer, Courtney Beadel, Luke Carlstrom, Dan Netwal, Tyler Russell, Andy Kuhl and Jessica Viner;
  Vocalist, Lindsey Drenter.

  Jazz 2 - Reeds: Kelsey Dunn, Christine Lammers, Sarah Longner, Alex Pehler and Jimmy Skadal; Trumpets: Jeff Wolf,
  Kris Proctor, Meredith Abbott, Jared Roth, Brett Burns and Matt Klever; Trombones: Mark Paar, Chris James and
  Chris Cuellar; Rhythm: Jessica Waetke, Zan Preston, Caitie Dau, Marcie VanEe, Jordan Roth and Elizabeth White.
 
 
Clockwise from top: Meredith Abbott, trumpet; Kelsey Dunn,
alto sax; Kristena Easter, alto sax; Lee Burress, trumpet;
Luke Carlstrom, bass; Shawn Spencer, guitar; and Zan Preston, guitar.
Not pictured is jazz vocalist Lindsey Drenter. PHOTO: Tracy Dunn

©Eldridge North Scott Press 2004