This year, the Austin High School band program underwent major changes, including the recent introduction of Ms. West. The new teacher is taking over the jazz program, which has a reputation to uphold. The program started years ago and grew into the fully formed program we have today, with the introduction of a new third jazz band.
Ms.West has been extremely ambitious with the program, building bonds with the students and pushing them to do their best, and she pushes the individuals in the program, she is also pushing the program in a positive direction. She has pushed both of the established jazz bands to higher levels, getting them to perform at higher levels than one might expect from what you’d think to be the second band. While the Stage Band has grown to higher levels than before, she also pushes the acclaimed Jazz Ensemble as well, teaching them to play advanced charts that trouble most adult players, as well as sending both bands to a few competitions later this year.
We’ve seen her impact on the already established bands in the program, but one of the bigger changes she’s made to the program is adding a whole other band; Jazz Orchestra, an after-school program full of students who might not be in one of the other two jazz bands, and most of whom are on a different instrument than what they normally play. With the songs they performed at the recent jazz concert, the growth in musicality and playing in general is wild, considering most of the students were new to playing jazz at all. These are only the first changes Ms. West plans to make; she’s spoken about making a girls-only jazz band, to push forward some specific players who have grown and improved but might get overshadowed by their peers.
When asked about the direction of the program Ms.West shared her hopes for the band: ”I would love to see the program grow and have 3 full bands. Ultimately I think it would be cool to be the ‘jazz school’ of Austin ISD” she also expresses ambitious goals for the Jazz Ensemble stating “I would love to make ellington”-the most competitive highschool level jazz competition in the nation. Austin High has only qualified for once so far under the direction of Ms.Tonia Matthews, who is mentoring Ms. West, who had this to say “I am very lucky the be mentored by the person who the legacy comes from, Tonia Mathews, so while I feel like it is my duty to carry n the jazz program as she built it” her gratitude continues beyond the musical program and into the community fostered with Ms.West saying “ Ultimately the most important thing is not the accolades but making sure everyone has somewhere they feel like they belong and can achieve something excellent.”
The jazz band has continued to excel under Ms.West with this attitude considering Jazz ensemble has also gotten a lot more active going to multiple competitions and shows like the Butch Miles jazz festival in San Marcos, Essentially Ellington Houston, and even some local places here in Austin like Easy tiger and Monks jazz bar. They’re seeing a lot more activity with this new direction for the program and this momentum us just getting started
This sentiment is reflected by jazz students who We asked a few questions too about their opinions on Ms. West and the program, and there was a flood of positive answers. Senior Arlo Grosshaupt commented, “I think she’s doing something really good for the jazz program.” Other students echoed this praise, including Junior Lee Worsham, who said, “I think Ms. West is very confident and it’s very inspiring to see…I think [the program has] definitely grown since last year, and the new director is wonderful and amazing…She really pushes us to be better musicians.”
Senior Jack Herbert agrees, saying,“I think it’s the best it’s been in a long time”, these sentiments are also shared by younger jazz students, like Junior Samuel McEathron, who said, “I think [Ms. West] is bringing a more fun nature to the program” and Sophomore Alejandro Ortega, who shared, “it’s going somewhere good.”
When prompted about the next few years of the program, many students expressed confidence in Ms.West, like Senior Rafael Gangishetti, who said, “She’s gonna make us a lot better than we are and I’m excited to see where it goes,” and Junior Lee Worsham, who added, “it think it’s only gonna grow from here,”
With the flood of positive responses and an overall great sentiment there isn’t really disagreement when it comes to the future of the program, so I think it’s safe to say that the jazz program is in safe hands. The program is only growing, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
