Three LHS students chosen for All State Jazz

A trio of Lovell High School students have been selected for the Wyoming All-State Jazz Vocal Ensemble, one of three groups that will meet for rehearsal and a final concert from Feb. 1-3 at Sheridan College.

Honored were junior Denna Slater and sophomores Juliette Caldwell and Lydia Craw.

“Denna is a junior at LHS, coming to us her sophomore year,” LHS Music Director Carisa French said. “Denna has a natural ability to perform and enjoy the stage. Denna’s mom is a music teacher in Wyoming and has helped shape Denna’s love of the performing arts. Denna is a member of the auditioned Jazz Choir as well as Music Performance, which is our musical theatre class.

“Her ability to sing and dance with confidence makes her a great asset to the stage. She is also kind and caring and brings good energy to her classes. She has been selected for the Treble Ensemble for All State Jazz and will be singing alto two.

French also noted the talent of the two sophomores.

“Juliette is a second-year member of the auditioned Jazz Choir. She is also an alto saxophone player in band,” French said. “Juliette, or Jet as she likes to be called, is such a great asset to the arts in Lovell. She is a talented singer, player and dancer. Most importantly, Jet works hard, has a great attitude and is a great example to all around her. Because of these attributes, I have chosen her as a leader in the music program. She has been selected for the Treble Ensemble for All State Jazz and will be singing second soprano.

“Lydia is a sophomore at LHS and was new to us second semester of last year. Lydia comes from a very musical family and is naturally musically inclined. This does not stop her from working hard to improve in all areas of music or from having a good attitude. Lydia is a member of the auditioned Jazz Choir as well as a saxophone player in concert band. Lydia is kind and intelligent and willing to talk to and help anyone she can. She has been selected for the Treble Ensemble for All State Jazz and will be singing second soprano.

“These three worked very hard and put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for their auditions.”

French said seven LHS vocalists auditioned for All State Jazz.

“Students rehearse scales and excerpts similar to the process of All State (Band and Choir), but in the Jazz genre,” she said. “Students don’t sight read, but they have the option to submit improvisation tracks to add to the audition. Students sing or play along to recordings that don’t have their part removed.

“The nice thing about All State Jazz is that students get to record with their teacher, and we submit them. We are expected to use good recording equipment and not alter the recordings in any way. Student recordings are screened by the state jazz representatives and selected based on a rubric, again similar to the All State process. Fewer students are selected as jazz ensembles are typically smaller, so there are two bands, and new this year, two choirs. This gives more students the opportunity to participate.

“There are 20 students in the mixed jazz choir and 16 in the treble jazz choir, so significantly smaller than the 160 students selected for All State.”