Spend An Evening with DHS Jazz Band

An Evening with DHS Jazz Band
Posted on 05/18/2021
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The DeSoto High School Jazz Band under the direction of long-time band leader and district educator Mr. Laurencio Arroyo will host a free outdoor jazz concert at 6:30 pm on May 21 in front of the school horseshoe drive at the school’s main entrance on Eagle Drive in DeSoto.

 

What began as preparations for the jazz band’s participation in the Tarrant County College Jazz Festival created an opportunity for the group to perform at home in front of their parents and community. 

 

Arroyo said the students had been rehearsing weekly since January but the TCC Jazz Festival was canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread health concerns which also eliminated an opportunity to perform at the DeSoto Amphitheater.

 

Instead of allowing the cancellations to limit the students’ opportunity to perform, Arroyo said he thought of having an outdoor concert in front of the school and, from there, “An Evening of Jazz” was born.

 

“This is just a chance for our parents and the neighborhood to hear and enjoy our music,” said Arroyo, whose students will perform jazz standards with a vocalist. Event attendees can expect to hear music from artists like George Benson and Stevie Wonder.

 

Among the students performing is lead alto player Kohron, who will be pursuing a music degree from Baylor University.  Coincidentally, the director of Bands at Baylor is one of Arroyo’s former saxophone students. Other senior musicians in the DHS Jazz Band will attend programs at Stanford, the University of North Texas and the United States Navy.

 

Freshman drummer Jeremy  Griffin was selected to the All-Region Jazz Band in October and will return to fill the shoes of this year’s graduates alongside other DHS musicians.

 

The May 21 concert is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair on which to sit as they enjoy the evening set. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome but please collect all trash and waste to assist the district in maintaining clean campus lawns. As an added note and as a precautionary measure against any potential spread of COVID-19, please wear a mask and maintain social distancing while at the event.

 

For more information, contact Mr. Arroyo at [email protected].