On April 7, the Linganore Jazz Ensemble was one of four bands to participate in the All-County High School Jazz Festival for Frederick County, and select members participated in the All-County Jazz Ensemble which performed at the end of the evening.

The LHS ensemble has been practicing since the beginning of second semester under director Kevin Lloyd, The group is made up of students playing saxophone, trombone, baritone, trumpet, guitar, piano, and percussion. One of its most notable members is Class of 2018 member and winner of Mr. Linganore 2018, Josh Watson, who play both string bass and bass guitar.

Stepping above and beyond the school ensemble, seven LHS students auditioned and made it into the All-County Ensemble. These students were Adam Byrd, Jack Christy, Luke Hackworth, Zach Hudson, Alyson Sniffen, Josh Watson and Richard Zhang. The ensemble practiced weekly from early March until the festival; in fact, several of the LHS students participated in the marching band trip and had to go to their practice as soon as they got back from the five-and-a-half day trip. It was certainly worth it, though.

“We got to play a whole bunch of different styles that I didn’t know were part of jazz,” says trumpet player Alyson Sniffen, a member of the Class of 2020. “Like funk, for example. Musically, I had no idea that it could be classified as jazz, but it worked when we played it and it was really fun.”

Besides the Linganore students, students from Tuscarora High, Middletown High, and Urbana High also played in the all-county ensemble. The group was directed by Paul Carr, a distinguished jazz musician and leader in music education. in 2002, Carr created the Jazz Academy of Music, which offers summer camps and jazz ensembles for children looking to learn something new or expand their existing musical knowledge. He has also recorded five CDs (listen to them here) and performed for former President Bill Clinton the king and queen of Jordan.

The Middletown, Oakdale, and Walkersville High School jazz ensembles also performed at the All-County Jazz Festival.