Photos provided by Loveland Schools
Three additional LHS musicians make the cut for the Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra
Loveland, Ohio – The LovelandHigh School Jazz Program has kicked off the new school year with a series of accolades and recognitions: Seniors Katelyn Heckenmueller (saxophone) and Caelan Quigley (trumpet) have both been selected for the 2019 All-State Jazz Ensemble, which will rehearse and perform at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference in Cleveland, January 31 – February 2.
In addition, Senior Ethan Diver (drums), and Juniors Simon Grome (bass) and Jett Stevens (drums) have been selected to the Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO), run by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).
Katelyn (Katie) Heckenmueller plays alto and soprano saxophones in the LHS Wind Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra. Having taken private lessons on alto sax for the past five years, she was selected to participate in the District 14 Honor Jazz Band in 2017. Heckenmueller, who plans to continue to play jazz in college, is particularly influenced by Dexter Gordon, whose “pocket and distinctive tone sound effortless.”
Caelan Quigley is one of two students in Loveland High School Jazz Program history to be selected for the All-State Jazz Ensemble twice. As a junior in 2018, he performed at the OMEA Conference in Columbus under the direction of Brad Leali, two-time Grammy-winning member of the Count Basie Orchestra. Quigley was the lead trumpet player in the CCM Summer Jazz Program in 2017. He plans to attend college, potentially combining studies in engineering and music. Quigley credits his jazz accomplishments to the work with his long-time private teacher and mentor, Norman Parr, and his first-rate music education at Loveland.
Ethan Diver has been playing drums for eight years, but is fairly new to jazz, which he started playing about a year ago. He has played snare drum in marching band and has been a member of the LHS showband for the past three years. In addition to playing with the CYJO big band, he also gigs with two combos. Diver teaches private lessons and takes lessons from Jeff Mellott.
Simon Grome has played bass for six years. He has spent that entire time studying privately under Matthew Holt. His biggest influences include Victor Wooten and John Patituccibecause of their innovative sounds and techniques. Grome does not plan on pursuing a degree in music, but expects it to remain an integral part of his future adult life.
Jett Stevens started by playing the piano in kindergarten. In fourth grade, he joined Mallet Madness at Loveland Elementary School, playing mallet percussion and auxiliary percussion. In seventh grade, he joined LMS Stage Band and Guitar Club. Throughout high school, he has been involved in Wind Symphony, CCM Summer Prep Jazz, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, Loveland Musical Orchestra, Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp, Show Choir Band, Orchestra Band, Marching Band and several bands with friends. In addition to being selected for the Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra, Stevens also earned spots in the District 14 Honor Jazz bands (2015 to 2017) and District 14 Honor Concert Band (2015).
“It is a great privilege to work with such talented students who are passionate about jazz music,” said Erin Fitzpatric, LHS music teacher and jazz program director who joined the district in August. “Being selected to participate as a member of the OMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble is one of the highest honors for a high school jazz student. The ensemble consists of the best high school jazz musicians in the state – out of the hundreds of applicants who auditioned this year, only five students were selected for the trumpet and saxophone sections”
“Being selected to participate as a member of the OMEAAll-State Jazz Ensemble is one of the highest honors for a high school jazz student. The ensemble consists of the best high school jazz musicians in the state – out of the hundreds of applicants who auditioned this year, only five students were selected for the trumpet and saxophone sections.”
The CYJO also gathers some of the best high school jazz musicians in the region. Students audition in the beginning of the school year for a spot in the band that offers a year of high-level challenge with emphasis on developing professional musical, improvisational, and performance skills. The band rehearses weekly and performs a variety of styles within the big band genre in concerts on the UC campus and throughout the community.
“The CYJO offers a great opportunity to play with other skilled high school jazz musicians from neighboring districts and build friendships that extend beyond Loveland,” said Fitzpatric.
Now in his fifth year of teaching full time, Fitzpatric earned his Bachelors of Music at CCM as a music education major with a jazz trumpet specialization. For the past three years, he taught 6-12th grade band, jazz, and guitar at Taylor High School in Cleves, Ohio. While he teaches music during the week, Fitzpatric also performs with several bands in his free time.
I look forward to showcasing the talents of the jazz bands at our first concert of the year on October 18,” said Erin Fitzpatric.
“I really enjoy teaching music throughout the week and performing with bands around town on the weekends. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to teach at Loveland where we have an incredible group of young musicians as well as a top-notch staff in the Music Department. I look forward to showcasing the talents of the jazz bands at our first concert of the year on October 18,” he said.
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