On Saturday, November 4, the Notre Dame Academy Jazz Band participated in Lawrence University’s 39th annual Jazz Fest.

The Jazz Fest aims to “create a low-pressure clinic environment and provide an inspiration boost at the start of the school year,” according to their website. 

The event featured jazz bands from schools throughout Wisconsin as well as artists from Tennessee, Indiana and Louisiana. 

It is the Notre Dame jazz band’s second time performing at the event.

The jazz band practices Mondays and Fridays before school, and band director Steve Johnson said that the students are doing well this year.

He added working with Dr. Marty Robinson from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on the morning of the Jazz Fest was of great benefit to the students.

“He’s an amazing educator, trumpet player, pianist and composer/arranger,” shared Johnson. “He worked with the students for the better part of an hour and had some great things to say which will help us to improve going into the rest of the school year. Ultimately, that’s what it’s about.”

The students also agreed that they benefited from the experience of Jazz Fest. 

“It was fun because it gave us an opportunity to interact with good musicians,” shared Manami Hikita, a member of the jazz band.