Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: Mallet Madness

  • Jett Stevens, a 2020 graduate of LHS, will perform in Tournament of Roses Honor Marching Band

    Jett Stevens, a 2020 graduate of LHS, will perform in Tournament of Roses Honor Marching Band

    Here is news of a Loveland High School 2020 graduate from the FaceBook Page of the Loveland Music Boosters

    Go Jett!! Thank you for representing Loveland Music Programs, Loveland Schools and the Loveland Community!

    Photo provided by Loveland Music Boosters

    Jett Stevens, a 2020 graduate of LHS, auditioned during his senior year for the BOA Tournament of Roses Honor Marching Band.

    Unfortunately, the 2021 Rose Bowl parade was canceled due to COVID and any member from that band was invited to the participate in 2022’s Rose Bowl Parade.

    Jett is playing snare drum in the #BOATOR22 band. This year’s BOA Honor Marching Band has 300+ members from 40+ states and Jett is representing Loveland High School and the State of Ohio.

    The theme of the Rose Bowl parade is ‘DREAM. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE.’ Jett is spending a week in Southern California, where he will have rehearsals, performances at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and Disneyland, special activities and Tournament of Roses parade.

    While in Loveland, Jett participated in Mallet Madness, LMS concert Bands, LMS Stage Band, LHS Marching Band, LHS Show Choir Band, and LHS Wind Symphony. Additionally, Jett played in the Orchestra pit for several musicals and with the LHS Orchestra during the Holiday concerts.

    Jett is now a Sophomore at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, double majoring in Music Performance (percussion) and Jazz Studies (drumset).

    Watch the 2022 Rose Parade begins at 11am ET on New Year’s Day to catch Jett doing what he loves!

    Highlights of Jett’s trip

    Bandfest Performance:

    The band’s debut performance will be at the Pasadena
    City College Stadium as specially-invited bands from around the nation perform for boosters and fans in this thrilling field show exhibition sponsored by the Rose Parade Music Committee.

    Float Viewing:

    Here’s a chance to see the floats up close and get a better idea of the type of detail and workmanship that makes them so spectacular.

    Disneyland Parade: The Bands of America Honor Band will spend a magical evening marching through the streets of Disneyland. It’s unforgettable!

    Griffith Observatory:

    Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles landmark and worldwide tourist destination for over a million visitors a year. It’s filled with opportunities to observe, learn, and be inspired. Look through a telescope, check out the exhibit halls and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, or enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Find something to eat or drink at the cafe or buy a fun memento at the gift shop.

    Huntington Beach & Pier:

    Known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach first hit the map in 1914 when Hawaiian surfer George Freeth demonstrated surfing at the new concrete pier. Home to countless surf legends and miles of pristine beaches, Huntington Beach draws over 11 million visitors each year. Measuring 1,850 feet in length, the iconic Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest piers on the West Coast. A leisurely stroll offers stunning panoramic views of Catalina Island, Newport Beach, Long Beach, San Pedro; and, of course, photo ops.

    Tournament of Roses Parade®:

    This world-famous 5.5-mile parade of beauty takes place along Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard. The parade features bands from around the world and some of the most spectacular floats imaginable! This is a favorite for millions who set time aside every year to view this internationally televised event.

    Disneyland: The Bands of America Honor Band will have a magical performance in Disneyland. It will be unforgettable!

    California Adventure: California is a place where fun and adventure are a way of life, and the same is true of Disney’s California Adventure theme park. From the moment you enter, you’ll be immersed in one exciting experience after another as you discover the splendor of the land, the cultural richness of the people, and the free- spirited nature of the California lifestyle.

  • Hands-on, student-led 2018-19 State of the Schools

    Hands-on, student-led 2018-19 State of the Schools


    The State of the Schools open house is scheduled for 6 – 7:30 PM on Thursday, January 31, at Loveland High School

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has invited the community to participate in the 2018-19 State of the Schools – a giant open house with students showcasing the learning that takes place around the district’s three core goals of growth, care and innovation.

    “We had a wonderful response to our State of the Schools last year when we turned the event on its head by allowing our students to lead,” said Dr. Amy Crouse, superintendent. “What better way for us to showcase what goes on here at Loveland other than to put our students in the spotlight?”

    The open house will consist of a gallery walk, where students from all grade levels will display various learning projects and interact with visitors through creative exhibits and presentations. The world-class Loveland Robotics will demonstrate robots and the exposure students gain not only to science, technology, engineering and math, but also to communication, leadership and project management through participation in the program.

    There will also be music performances by Mallet Madness and the Loveland Show Choirs, among others, and art exhibits, as well as meet-and-greets with some of the many accomplished Loveland student athletes. Visitors will be engaged in a way-finding mission through the gallery walk, and rewarded with entries to drawings of gift baskets based on the completion of visits to the various booths.

    “The State of the Schools is truly a highlight of the year,” said Dr. Crouse. “We hope the community takes advantage of this unique opportunity to see our amazing students in action, meet and interact with Tigers of all ages, and gain better insight into the work we do here at Loveland.”

      

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  • Loveland’s Katelyn Heckenmueller and Caelan Quigley selected for All-State Jazz Ensemble

    Loveland’s Katelyn Heckenmueller and Caelan Quigley selected for All-State Jazz Ensemble

    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.

      Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area.

  • Loveland Elementary’s Mallet Madness to share national stage

    Loveland Elementary’s Mallet Madness to share national stage

    “I knew it was a far shot because the other groups that auditioned were middle-school aged.”

    Loveland, Ohio – Last year Loveland Elementary teacher Michele Henn submitted a recording of Mallet Madness to audition for one of four spots performing at the National Convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, which will be held in Cincinnati this year. Orff-Schulwerk is the approach to music education used by thousands of teachers in America and is used in the Loveland elementary schools. Henn said, “I knew it was a far shot because the other groups that auditioned were middle-school aged. Well, our 4th grade group really pulled it out and we received one of the coveted spots.”

    Mallet Madness is an advanced percussion group of 20-24 fourth grade students at Loveland Elementary School. The group performs complicated pieces for xylophone, drum, accessory percussion, and recorder. Roughly 70-90 students audition for membership each year. The group rehearses before school, three days per week, from October through May. Ensemble members show tremendous dedication by arriving to school early simply for the joy of making music together. 

    The group is in its 10th season and is directed by LES music teacher Michele Henn.

    This year, Mallet Madness will perform at the National Convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (the approach to music education used at LES, LPS, and LECC). This is quite an honor, as the group will perform for music teachers from all corners of the country. Numerous ensembles from neighboring states competed for a chance to perform.  Mallet Madness earned one of four performance positions, and they were one of the youngest ensembles to audition. 

    Students from the 2017-2018 season of Mallet Madness are currently rehearsing throughout September and October to prepare for their November 10th performance at the Duke Energy Center.

    From Mrs. Henn:

    When we started Mallet Madness ten years ago, my teaching partner and I simply approached a few students that really seemed to enjoy music. We asked them if they would like to come to school early a few times per week and make music. That’s it. It was no big deal. Over the years the ensemble has grown in popularity and now we have multiple performances per year and a large number of students audition to join the group.

    Mallet Madness means so much to me personally because I am energized by the artistic atmosphere created by this group. I am able to push the group to perform music that in any other setting would probably not be attainable. This fulfills many needs for me as a musician, teacher, and director.