LYNN — It begins with a steady groove. Then saxophones enter like a rush of cool wind, conveying the buttery smoothness of the line and pulse.
But this is no ordinary performance of “Blue Bossa,” a chart originally introduced by Joe Henderson on his 1963 album “Page One.” The performers in this case are students of the Lynn Public Schools’ All-City Jazz Band. And given their video recording from 2021, these kids, along with the students in the entire music program, know how to play with style.
That combination of hard bop and bossa nova might just be part of what’s on tap when the All-City Jazz Band joins the All-City Concert Band and Orchestra for their winter concert at Lynn Classical High next Friday night. Together, students from all four Lynn high schools will offer just about something for everyone beginning at 6 p.m.
“There aren’t many programs in Lynn where kids across all the high schools work together,” Director of Music Education Julie Carroll said. And the concert offers a gentle reminder that music can at least attempt to bridge differences. “There’s such a rivalry between English and Classical,” she added with a laugh. “It’s nice to see they really get along.”
In many ways, the concert symbolizes a department on the move. On the surface, it has all the usual components–band, choir and small ensembles of all kinds. But the citywide music program has added seven new music courses, some geared toward the contemporary and modern.
Many of the band students are also being invited to perform beyond the city limits. The Lynn schools will send seven kids to an honor band festival at UMass Amherst, where they will participate in a master class, Carroll said. Last month, twelve students were invited to perform in a similar program at Salem State University. And today, one viola student is auditioning for the all-state festival.
In addition, the music program will be gaining a new venue this September with the planned opening of the City Arts and Sciences Academy. The plan is to hire a few music teachers and eventually set up a sound recording program.
“I could not be more proud of my group,” Carroll said. “This is my 20th year in Lynn. I was an elementary music teacher for a number of years at a bunch of different elementary schools. I’ve inherited a great program from my predecessors. We have a team of 40 music teachers I’m really proud of.”
Next Friday’s concert will not only showcase LPS’s talented students, it will bring to fruition the work of their dedicated music teachers. Mona Rachad leads the All-City Orchestra. Patricia Manopoli, Jeanne Dunlap, Michael Gruender assist Jeremy Witherell with the All-City Band. All-City Jazz will be conducted by Gil Lapointe.
But the concert also reflects a positive step forward following the lags in education that resulted from the pandemic.
“Many of these high school students were just learning their instruments during Covid,” Carroll said. “So think about trying to play a trumpet on a computer on Zoom. The fact that the kids are still so dedicated to our program was amazing.”
“I feel like we’ve come back pretty strong,” she added. “Engagement and enrollment are thriving and up.”
Friday’s event, then, will be just as much a celebration. “I’m so proud of this group of kids,” Carroll said.
