High schoolers to participate in NIC jazz clinics

Hundreds of middle school and high school students from across the region will participate in jazz clinics Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 at North Idaho College during the annual JazzNIC program.

"This event is a chance for these high school and middle school bands and choirs to receive valuable feedback on their jazz groups from some of the best jazz musicians in our area," said NIC Director of Bands Terry Jones.

Band members from school districts across the region will perform for special guest clinicians during the event. Clinicians include University of Idaho professor Dan Bukvich, who is also an internationally-known composer whose works have been performed at the Lincoln Center and the Vatican. University of Idaho professor and band conductor Alan Gemberling will also provide feedback to students. Lewiston High School band director Gary Gemberling, Alan's brother, is the final clinician. He is active with the Idaho Music Educators Association and is an acclaimed performer, including performing as a soloist with the Spokane Symphony.

Each of the clinicians will be featured soloists and will perform with the NIC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Co. choir in the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1 in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

NIC's jazz choir JazzCo. will perform well known pieces such as the Kirby Shaw arrangement of "The Way You Look Tonight" and the piece "Down St. Thomas Way." The jazz band will follow with performances of "West Side Story" and arrangements by clinician Dan Bukvich of "Route 66" and "Body and Soul." All three clinicians backed by the NIC Jazz Ensemble will join together for the Tommy Newsom arrangement of "Sing, Sing, Sing."

The concert is free and open to the public.

The public is also welcome to attend the jazz clinics. Groups will perform every hour on the hour beginning at 8 a.m. Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

The JazzNIC concert and clinics are sponsored by the Associated Students of NIC (ASNIC).

Information: (208) 769-3276