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The Arts

Kirkwood Swings at Elmhurst Festival

By March 13, 2009November 16th, 2018No Comments

Chicagoland event gives Kirkwood student performers award opportunities

The 42nd annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival/Chicago was held Feb. 27 through March 1, 2009 and featured over 40 colleges and universities throughout the United States. The Kirkwood Community College Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I (under the direction of Dr. Tim Feldkamp) accepted an invitation to participate at this prestigious event where musicians are given an opportunity to hear and share music in an educational format.

At the festival, students spoke with featured, nationally prominent guest artists in a master class/clinic and also heard feedback regarding their performances. Festival adjudicators were Steve Wiest, trombone; Wayne Bergeron, trumpet; and Denis DiBlasio, baritone sax.

Outstanding soloist awards presented to Kirkwood student musicians in the big band division went to Chase Garrett (pictured), piano and Mike Salow, guitar. An additional solo award also went to Chase Garrett in the jazz combo division. Along with learning from some of the greatest jazz musicians of today, the festival featured the Bill Holman big band from Los Angeles and the Maria Schneider big band of New York City.

Also, en route to Chicago the Kirkwood student musicians have traditionally served as college ambassadors by performing at high schools in eastern Iowa.