Charles City High School jazz vocal and instrumental groups combine for Extravaganza performance

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The number of people in the audience at the Charles City High School Winter Jazz Extravaganza was surpassed only by the number of different Christmas goodies spread out to enjoy before the program, during intermission and maybe even to take home after the show.

The audience was spread among reserved tables throughout the Trinity United Methodist Church for the Sunday afternoon event, which featured the high school’s three vocal jazz groups (Rhymes With Orange, 2 Jazzed Up and Here Comes Treble), the jazz bands and the Wire Choir.

The program combined a wide selection of popular, classic and religious holiday-themed music – ranging from “Santa Baby” and “Frosty the Snowman” to the opening “Joy to the World” and the finale “Silent Night/Silent the Night” – along with a narration that explored Christmas memories, the many faces of Santa Claus and the true meaning of Christmas.

Besides an opportunity to showcase the high school’s extracurricular vocal and instrumental groups’ talents, it was also a fundraiser toward the cost of sending the varsity jazz groups to perform in a mass ensemble in February in Kansas City.

The groups were under the direction of vocal teacher Derek Sturtevant, band teacher Jacob Gassman and orchestra teacher Sam Naumann.