All That Jazz!!! High Schoolers From Area Perform Tuesday at State Theatre

Free Admission Event to Showcase Youthful Talent, Obscure Tunes

December 5, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

Jazz of a different type is coming Tuesday night to the State Theatre.

Not only are the 16 musicians all high school students from area schools in Bay City, Essexville and Midland, they will play music that is avant garde and no doubt unfamiliar to many music fans.

In addition, complete jazz bands from Bay City Western and Central, Midland Dow and Sanford Meridian, and Essexville Garber will take the stage to toot their horns and bang their drums.


Craig Heydenburg (pictured at right), band director at Bay City Western, is fulfilling an idea he had about 15 years ago for an All Bay Area Jazz Band concert.

Starting out as the Bay County Jazz Festival at Western High, the concept has gradually grown over the past decade and has attracted high school musicians from the area. Last year was the first concert at the State.

Some of the names of the pieces may be familiar, like Buddy Holly, Duke Ellington, Erik Morales, and Johnny Mandel -- but the sounds will be unique, according to Mr. Heydenburg.

Scott Stuifbergen, band director at Bay City Central, says the concert gives local students a chance to play with talented high school musicians from throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Admission to the 7 p.m. event is free.

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