A few hours before their May 29 concert, the Jr./Sr. High School’s two jazz ensembles each received a special lesson.
Students in Jazz I and Jazz II rehearsed with professional musicians, Frank Grosso and Paul Merrill. Grosso worked with Jazz II and Merrill worked with Jazz I. 
The opportunity, a first for the jazz ensembles, was arranged through CNY Jazz Central of Syracuse.
“Our students thoroughly enjoyed working with professionals,” Mrs. Cutler, Jr./Sr. High School music teacher and director of the jazz ensembles, said. “It gave them an opportunity to learn new things and get another point of view about the approach to performing. And, of course, they loved hearing them play!”
Grosso’s and Merrill’s visit was sponsored in part by Berkshire Bank. To the students’ delight, both stuck around to perform alongside them at their concert.
Jazz II mainly consists of junior high students who have just started playing a secondary instrument. Jazz I mostly features senior high students, and dives into more challenging music and different styles of jazz.
“It was a great experience,” Cutler said. “We will definitely do it again!”
Jazz I Roster – Jason Crumb, Jason Robinson, Grace Waterman, Griffin Catello, Katie Hansson, Jeremiah Lockwood, Noah Plumb, Jarrett Flint, Trevor Owens, Quinn Haggerty, Dakota Saxe, Noah Grant, Bryce Daskiewich, Karsten Bratge, Brady Morris, Sam Huyck, Matt Kelsey, Tyler Crumb, Emily Szmurlo, Emma Riesel, Abby Hansson, Josh Davis, Kyle Meagher, Allie Davis (grade 8)
Jazz II Roster – Bailey Metzger, Matt Kelsey, Tyler Crumb, Griffin Catello, Katie Hansson, Jase Smith, Gabe Morris, Hunter Klis, Damian Simmonds, David Huyck, Aiden Smith, Owen Davison, Cross Valenzano, Steven Sovare, Jakob Mazur, Sophie Larish, Allie Davis, Riley Smith, Gavin Haggerty, Cristian Sovare