The James Hart School Symphonic and Jazz Bands will give a concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at the school, 18820 Morgan Ave., Homewood.
The Jazz Band’s set list will include jazz standards made famous by Count Basie and Fats Waller. The Symphonic Band repertoire will include works by McGinty, Sweeney and John Philip Sousa.
Music teacher and bands director Matthew Johnson said both groups have been preparing their repertoires for several weeks and are ready to showcase their talents. The program is in preparation for the symphonic band’s performances at two regional music conferences.
The Jazz Band performed Feb. 16 at the Prairie State College Jazz Invitational that included a follow-up clinic from critically-acclaimed trumpeter Orbert Davis and percussionist Ernie Adams.
The Symphonic Band’s performance will be leading up to appearances at the South Suburban Junior High School Association (SSJHSA) Band Conference Festival on March 10 at Columbia Central School in Steger and the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District VI Organization Contest on March 11 at Central Middle School in Tinley Park.
At the SSJHSA conference festival, the band will perform for a panel of two judges, including Bill Jastrow, the retired Homewood-Flossmoor High School director of bands, and receive an in-depth clinic afterward.
At the IGSMA district contest, the band will perform for a panel of three judges and receive written feedback, as well as a rating based on the quality of their musicianship and clarity.
The James Hart School Symphonic and Jazz Bands are under the direction of Johnson, who is assisted by teachers Kim Tallungan and Sean McQuinn.