Jazz students from 4 high schools in recital

Jazz musicians from four area high schools will perform together at noon April 18, at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., Johnstown.

The band was the idea of Eric Pfeil, director of bands at Greater Johnstown High School. He will conduct the concert.

“The collaboration of local music programs is vital to the continued success and support of music education in our schools,” Pfeil said when asked what motivated him to put together this group of 25 young musicians.

They’ll be playing such jazz standards as “Pennsylvania 6-5000” and “Come Fly With Me.”

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The audience may meet the band members at a light lunch following their program. There is no charge. Costs are covered by donations.

The following students will play.

Forest Hills: Haley Allsopp, Jocelyn Myers, Doran Faith, Carter Stoykovich and Laken Mikesic. A faculty member, Rik Golden, will play guitar.

Greater Johnstown: Kash Baldauf, NeVaeh Thompson, Brayden Pennington, Patrick Penrod, Daniel Britt and Danica Gmuca.

Richland: Aaron Deffenbaugh, Carter Bilitski, Ethan Reiter, Elle Myers, Alex Deighan, Trevor Rzasa, Collin Hall and Patrick Litzinger.

Westmont Hilltop: Emma Spisak, Natalie Holland, Jme [ok] Turnage, Jocelyn Andolina and Trevor Trotz.

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The other band directors are Josh Brumbaugh, Westmont Hilltop; Jerrod Cannistraci, Richland, and Mitch Custer, Forest Hills.

Pfeil previously has brought his Greater Johnstown jazz bands to play noon recitals. Just before the COVID-19 crisis, he suggested putting together a combined band of students from several schools. Now that is possible.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Jazz students from 4 area high schools in recital