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8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 11, 1984 ' Jazzmerize" . by Elizabeth Smith "What on earth is a Jazzmerize?" you may well ask. But those who at- tended the Chamber of Commerce dinner on January 15th, or have had much contact with the Music Department of Port Perry High School in the last 3'; years, already know the answer, and if you asked they would probably answer "They're GREAT." "Jazzmerize' is the 16 member Vocal Jazz ensemble that created its name -- and image -- in the fall of 1982 when Charles White came to Port Perry High School Music Department. The group is purely ex- tra curricular, and although most of the members have music on their regular school timetable, they give VICKIE RENSINK 2'% hours or more a week for rehear- sal time, as well as performance time. The members of the group change from year to year -- none of the original ones are still at the school -- but the spirit remains the same. A high level of vocal accomplish- ment, a polished stage manner, and \ a strong feeling of unity combine to make the group outstanding. The first year of their career saw them win a 1st at the Sunderland Music Festival, a Gold at the Peter- ~ borough Regional Festival, and an invitation to the Canadian Stage Band Festival in Calgary in May of 1983. Their second year they repeated their performance at Sunderland and the Peterborough Regionals, and placed in the top 6 at the Cana- dian Stage Band Festival in Toron- to. The 'Bar Four," a quartet made up of group members, won a Bronze at that Festival. DAVID HOOPER The third year they again placed 1st at Sunderland, and gave a Gold level performance at the Ontario Vocal Jazz Festival in March of 1985, and performed at the Canadian Stage Band Festival in Quebec Ci- ty. While in Quebec, they had the chance to perform in a nightclub "L'Apres-Onze'"', and were very well received - pretty heady stuff! They have also sung locally for Service organizations, the hospital and nursing home, and even the 2 Wintario Show when it came to town. They have performed in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 35,000 feet over Saskatchewan, rehearsed in the swimming pool of the Village Park Inn in Calgary, and sung the night before their exams (now thats dedication!). | CORY GIBSON Ps For all those who wondered what "Jazz- merize" is, here is the answer. Jazzmerize is Port Perry High School's award winning jazz ensem- ble and they are heading for Vancouver this sum-- mer to represent Ontario at Expo '86. Members of the group are, from back left: David Hooper, The Director of the group, Charles | White, came to the Music Depart- - ment after 10 years 'at R.H. Cornish Public School with great qualifica- tions. He was involved in music all through High School, helped put himself through Trent University by playing in a Jazz Trio, performed with the Scugog Choral Society, and still sings in the Port Perry United Church Choir. He holds an Ontario Ministry of Education Vocal Specialists Certificate and attended the Phil Mattson Vocal Jazz Workshop last summer at the University of Western Michigan, where he directed one of the numbers for the final concert. He has been Instrumental Chairman for the Sunderland Music Festival for the last 8 years, and is a member of the Board of Directors and presents The PP. . Jazzmerize Parents' Assoc. JAZZMERIZE HALL, "AND FRIENDS CONCERT 8:00 P.M. $5.00 Fri., March 7th CABARET & AUCTION Sat., March 8th 8:00 P.M. $7.00 -- TOWN HALL 1843 -- Held under the auspices of a Special Occasion Permit. TICKETS FOR SALE AT IRWIN SMITH MUSIC OR ANY JAZZMERIZE MEMBER Registrar of the Ontario Vocal Jazz Festival. He is also one of 7 (Turn page page 9) - Port Perry's goodwill ambassadors represent Ont. at Expo i LY 5 Lp ssn. Vickie Rensink, Matthew Saikeld; Mike Relf, Em- ma Salkeld, Nick Rensink, Paul Lane, Leanne McKinzey and Charlene Daigle. Centre, Charles White, instructor, Cory Gibson and Val Grosvenor. Front left, lan Smith, Clay Hammett, Melanie Lee and Andrea Hobbs. - Val Grosvenor and Melanie Lee with Mike Relf in the background