Eastbayri.com

SEEKONK — The Seekonk High School Jazz Band held its annual jazz dinner last Thursday night and according to band director John Smialek, it was the event’s biggest turnout to date.

Mr. Smialek said more than 100 people turned out for the evening, which saw the 18-piece band perform two 45-minute sets. On the menu was pulled pork, buffalo wings and chicken, among other items, from the Boneyard Barbecue. The jazz band’s selections hit on a number of different musical genres and artists, including numbers made famous by legends such as Elton John and Cole Porter.

“We did a nice mix of jazz tunes, some rock stuff and some standards,” Mr. Smialek said.

All of the students who take part in the jazz band do so on a volunteer basis. The group meets for a couple hours every Monday night, learning how to play jazz and particular elements of the genre, including improvisation.

Taking part in jazz band also gives students the opportunity to perform on a secondary instrument. In concert band, for example, there isn’t much need for an electric bass guitar or a drum set. The annual jazz dinner is a chance for these student musicians to showcase their respective skills in the classic American musical genre.

“That’s why we do it. To perform for people. To get to play a lot of different stuff,” said Mr. Smialek.

Another highlight of the evening was a brief ceremony that presented each of the music department’s seniors with sweatshirts and jackets. Each piece of apparel had the school music department logo and the respective student’s name.

‘Coming Home’

Meanwhile, the high school’s symphonic band has started its preparation for the debut of a special work commissioned in honor of the town’s on-going, year-long bicentennial celebration. The piece, titled “Coming Home,” was written by American composer Andrew Boysen. My. Boysen is currently an assistant music professor at the University of New Hampshire.

Mr. Smialek said he discussed the piece with Mr. Boysen prior to its completion and the final product has a little bit of everything the two talked about, including parts that highlight specific players and sections. Mr. Smialek said the piece is “challenging” but definitely playable. He said the students were able to get through the piece after a couple run-throughs but there is more and more of the composition that comes out every times it’s rehearsed.

“Usually, that’s the sign of a good, quality piece of music,” Mr. Smialek said.

On March 16, Mr. Boysen will come to Seekonk to work with the symphonic band on the piece. For numerous days in April, the Seekonk School Department will conduct various activities as part of the town’s 200th anniversary celebration. At the heart of the school department’s schedule will be a concert featuring the debut of “Coming Home.”

That’s not at all the band has in store, however. Mr. Smialek said the group is also working on pieces that would have been popular 100 and 200 years ago, respectively.