Jazz Master Class Presented at Sandalwood High School
September 8, 2016
Friday Musicale presented a master class by saxophonist Tivon Pennicott and the John Lumpkin Trio to high school band students at Sandalwood High School. Friday Musicale’s opening night artists gave this educational outreach presentation as the first of the 2016-2017 school year. Band Director Mr. Steve Panoff welcomed the students and introduced the program.
Students were surprised to hear that the trio had never before rehearsed or performed with saxophonist Tivon Pennicott. Tivon explained that music is like another language and like with a foreign language, with intense practice, you can “carry on a conversation” with other musicians, i.e. improvise. Three students, trombone, trumpet and saxophone players, prepared pieces to model and receive instruction for improvement from Tivon.
Ending the master class, the artists did a Q&A session, where several students made requests of songs they wanted the artists to perform. Upon request, to the students’ delight, the artists performed Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.”
Friday Musicale is appreciative of Mr. Steve Panoff, Band Director, and the administration at Sandalwood High School for their support of Friday Musicale and cooperation for presenting this master class to the students.
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E-mail from Band Director, Steve Panoff:
Friday, September 9, 2016
Hi Mandie,
THANK YOU so much for bringing Tivon and the John Lumpkin Trio to Sandalwood. After a long day at school, I think the kids really were not into having to stay later, but after the concert, they were so excited.
I left last night with me having to literally kick the kids out of the bandroom. They were listening to Stevie Wonder and Duke Ellington, playing their instruments, and in general, on a musical high. His approach to the kids was awesome and we definitely made connections to John Lumpkin that will help us continue to provide resources and instruction to our students.
Thank you again and I will be in touch regarding what we can do for my guitar students later in the year.
Have a great concert tonight.
Steve