MHS sends 7 to All-State Jazz Band

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ABERDEEN — Seven Mitchell High School students were chosen to take part in the South Dakota All-State Jazz Band, which started Thursday night and runs through Saturday at Northern State University in Aberdeen.

Ryan Stahle, Mitchell High School bands director, said to have seven students selected from Mitchell is a very large honor.

“I have been doing this for nine years and we usually have anywhere from one to three or four students go, but to have seven is a very big honor for a school the size of Mitchell,” Stahle said.

The students were selected through an audition process that started in early March.

Alex Graves will play lead trombone and Allison Buckley will play piano in the Mossberg Big Band.

Neil Schlimgen will play bass and Brady Dice will play vibraphone in the Sorenson Big Band.

Joe Morgan will play bass trombone and Ellie Kenkel will play fourth trumpet in the Manhart Big Band.

Peter Novak will play alto saxophone in the Stanoch Combo.

“The Stanoch Combo is comprised of the students who received the highest improvisation scores in their auditions, so they should be very fun to watch,” Stahle said.

The students will rehearse with professional jazz musicians throughout the day today and Saturday before performing a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Johnson Fine Arts Center Theater on NSU’s campus.

This year’s professionals include Michael Philip Mossman, Dean Sorenson, Grant Manhart and Dave Stanoch.

Stahle said students will not only get a chance to perform with other great high school musicians across the state, but also will get the chance to learn from some of the best jazz professionals in the region.

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