2023 St. Joe's Jazz Lab Band Dinner Dance

SAVE THE DATE

JUNE5TH6PM

326AMHERSTST,BUFFALO,NY14207

AUGUST21ST-25TH 2023

FORBOYSENTERING

7TH-9THGRADE

INTHEFALLOF2023

AgraduateoftheUniversityofBuffaloforMusic

EducationandNewYorkUniversityforJazzand

Contemporarymusicstudies,Mr.Wallingjoinedthe facultyofSt.Joe’sintheFallof2020wherehedirects theConcertBand,PercussionEnsemble,PitOrchestra andJazzLabBand.PriortojoiningSJCI,Mr.Walling spent20yearsasabanddirectoratCatholic ElementaryandMiddleSchoolsacrossthe Buffalo/RochesterAreaandfoundedtheWesternNew YorkCatholicSchoolHonorBandin2005.Mr.Walling

wouldliketocongratulatetheJazzLabBandfortheir impressivecommitmentandmassivegrowththisyear!

A heartfelt thank you as well to his wife, Kerrin and his two children, Larkin and Julian for their constant love and support.

SJCI Jazz Lab Band

Directed by Mr. Jeff Walling

Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone

Dylan Cavarello

Parker Jaros

Robert Anspach Michael Helfrich

Michael Brown

Baritone Saxophone Trombone

Salvatore Ortolano Benjamin Mazurkiewicz

Ekene Ezenwa Jackson Blum

Justin Maloney

Griffin Rao

Trumpet

Owen Roberts Joey Piwko

Alex Cabral Jack Ernst

Caleb Parisi Keean Patel

Tuba Piano

Peyton Brock Michael Hershenov

Bass Drums

Zachary Petroski

Matthew Thorne

Braun Borgese Officers

Parker Jaros, President

Owen Roberts, Vice President

Dylan Cavarello, Librarian

Mr. Walling,

Sincere thanks for investing your time and talent as teacher, director, and mentor. You have instilled a love of jazz in us that will last a lifetime. Thank you for your dedication to us and the instrumental music program at St. Joe’s.

Mr. Owens and Mr. Burgess,

Thank you for your sharing your expertise on trumpet and trombone. You have taught us so much.

Dr. Fulco and Mr. Spillman,

Thank you for your commitment to academic excellence and ensuring the future of quality music education and the performing arts for students at St. Joe's.

Mrs. Walling,

We know how much time Mr. Walling spends with us, and we appreciate the sacrifice you and your kids make for him to direct a top-notch program. We are very grateful for your support.

Jazz Band Alumni,

Thanks for joining us for a few songs. Your love of music is inspiring.

Parents,

Thank you for adjusting your schedules to accommodate every band function. Thank you for believing in and encouraging us as we develop our musical talent. From our first off pitch notes until now, thank you for providing your never-ending support. You are our best audience!

You all deserve our profound gratitude

Special thanks to Kyle Ciminelli, SJCI class of 2000

Jazz Lab Band

Celebrating 50 years

The music program at St. Joe's continues to flourish because of a substantive curriculum, a well-informed and supportive administration, and tremendous parental support.

SJCI Jazz Lab Band was founded by Mr. Lee Bash during the 1972-73 school year. The following year, Mr. Russell Owens began his legendary 43-year career as St. Joe's instrumental music teacher. During his tenure, the Jazz Lab Band became a true source of identity for the music program and our school community. Mr. Owens took the band to countless cities and festivals throughout the US, earning unprecedented recognition both locally and nationally. Jazz Lab Band would not be what it is today, or what it will be in the future without his incredibly high standards and inspirational leadership. To this day, Mr. Owens is a blessing as he continues to work in conjunction with current director, Mr. Jeff Walling.

Since joining the SJCI staff in 2020, Mr. Walling leads in the spirit of Jazz Lab Band's mission, of spreading love and joy through "America's Classical Music", Jazz.

Experimentation in our Jazz Lab increases our learning opportunities through various settings, and for different reasons, such as performance, education, and service.

Jazz Lab Band collaborates with area high schools and has participated in Jazz Workshops with professionals from Ithaca College, SUNY Fredonia, and the Music is Art Foundation. Involvement in the band also provides practical learning experiences, including a gig at Sportsman's Tavern, a local night club.

Our service work continues this summer, as SJCI offers its first Jazz Lab Camp for middle school aged boys.

Sharing our musical gifts at Park Creek Senior Living Community and volunteering on the East Side of Buffalo reflects our Lasallian values. During the past few months, we have helped raise money for the ARC Center for Adults with Disabilities, Our Lady of Victory Charities and Kaleida Health.

In April, we embark on our annual trip to NYC with all these goals in mind. Our itinerary includes performances at St. Jean Baptiste High School for girls and the Mary Manning Walsh Home in Manhattan. We will also explore the origins of our music through live performances throughout the city, tour the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and work with the New York Jazz Academy to hone our craft!

We are thankful for your presence tonight as you greatly contribute to our annual tour.

Please be encouraged to continue advocating for music education and the arts at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and in our community.

Best wishes for an enjoyable evening.

-SJCI Jazz Lab Band