In preparation for the upcoming 2024 competition season, the Steinert Jazz Band has undergone some considerable changes. With not only new members and music, but through work ethic. The determination of the band has shifted this year to a greater degree of fervent, as a resolute response to a previous lower intensity.

When members first join the band they are swiftly introduced to more challenging music than anything the typical student has seen. This adjustment can take a lot of time to adapt to. Expanding on this transition to higher level music, freshman baritone saxophone John Loh comments, “There’s a lot of fast playing, it’s a different skill level than marching band or concert band.” Improving these skills and enhancing your own knowledge of music is the larger goal of the Jazz Band. Beyond scores, musical improvement and dedication are held at the highest value.

This year’s expectations are largely heightened in comparison to last year; encouraged and enforced by both band director, Mr.Ketterer, and members themselves. The drive to work harder this year is clearly present in the group. Senior trumpet Marc Reyes stated, “I feel like there’s definitely a lot of potential this year, we have a lot of talented people. We also have a lot of new people who I feel like haven’t yet reached their full potential. I believe they will through a bunch of hard work and practice. Through hard work and dedication, and actually applying ourselves, the potential [of the full band] will be reached.” Frequent sectionals and hard work outline the plans of the individual section goals, as well as that of the entire band.

Wholly, the Steinert Jazz Band has turned a new leaf with the mindset they now hold, and the goals they have set for their competition season. Dedicated members and a positive work ethic make up the band now, and those in the club hold to the belief that this will help greatly in collective musical improvement. Tyler Gilson, senior alto saxophone, summarizes, “I think a lot of people, even if they’re not as naturally skilled now, they are more interested. I see a lot of freshmen coming in who are more interested than the upperclassmen; It’s really good to see that. Generally it’s a more passionate group of people joining, and over the years I hope more people join the jazz band.”

The competition season of the Jazz Band takes place through the months of January, February, March and April with performances on 1/11 at Faith Baptist Church, 1/27 at Princeton Jazz Festival, 3/1 at Allentown Jazz Festival, 3/7 at Steinert for Prelims, 3/9 at SHS Jazz Fest, 4/13 at Jackson Liberty Jazz Fest, 4/16 at Wilbur Witteman’s Jazz Fest, 4/27 at Finals (if the band makes it), and 5/10 at the Teen Arts Festival.