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Lakota East and Lakota West high school students will both participate in fundraisers this Saturday.

In the morning, Lakota East will host the Cool Jazz n’ Hotcakes breakfast. The event, which will feature performances from Lakota East High School jazz bands, will take place from 8 a.m. to noon.

Lakota East jazz band. Photo provided.

There will be raffle prizes during the breakfast that include an autographed guitar from Bootsy Collins, an autographed CD and picture from Wynton Marsalis and a Smoky Mountain Getaway.

Rosie Red (Cincinnati Reds mascot) will be there for pictures and Married with Microphones’ Chris and Janeen from 103.5 WGRR will be the masters of ceremonies.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Lakota East band programs.

Meanwhile, in the Lakota East parking lot, there will be a community garage sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In West Chester, Lakota West students are sponsoring a car wash in support of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walgreen’s on Union Centre Boulevard and 747. Refreshments will also be on sale during the event.

All proceeds will go towards the American Cancer Society.

Next weekend, Lakota West will host its second annual Relay for Life event from 4 p.m. Friday, May 18, until 10 a.m. Saturday, May 19. The event will be held for 18 hours on the track in the Lakota West football stadium.

For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/lakotawest.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East jazz band, Lakota East jazz bands, Lakota East music program, Lakota Eastside Jazz Ensemble

Lakota East High School’s 21-member Eastside Jazz Ensemble was selected to participate in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival May 4-6 at the Lincoln Center in New York. Provided photo.

Sue Kiesewetter reports

The Eastside Jazz Ensemble is headed to New York City to participate in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival at the Lincoln Center.

Lakota East’s 21-member ensemble was one of only 15 high school finalists – and the only Ohio group – selected for the May 4-6 festival in New York City. Selection was based on a three-song CD the students recorded last December.

“I’m extremely excited. It’s an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the Lincoln Center and get world class instruction with jazz greats,” said senior Aaron Todahl.

“We’ll be exposed to the world’s best jazz,” added Brendan Todahl, Aaron’s twin brother, who is also making the trip.

For the last three months Brendan and Aaron have played and listened to Duke Ellington’s music almost exclusively at their West Chester Township home.

“I’m excited, but not intimidated. Getting to play in front of the jazz greats is really awesome and I’m looking forward to it,” Brendan Todahl.

This was the first time jazz director Todd Hartman applied to be part of the festival, which includes workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the House of Swing at the Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.

The students began listening to Duke Ellington’s music in October, got the music they would record in mid-November and then recorded the competition CD in December.

“We pretty much had it in our heads before we got the music,” said senior Kyle Vanden Eynden.

“This is like the Super Bowl of high school jazz festivals,’’ Hartman said. “It’s one of the most selective jazz festivals in the country. It’s a huge honor for our kids and we’re really proud.’’

This is Vanden Eynden’s first trip to New York. In preparation, the Liberty Township teen said there have been extra practice sessions for each section of musicians, by instrument. (more…)

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Eastside Jazz Ensemble, Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival, Lakota East, Lakota East jazz band, Lakota East jazz bands, Lakota East music program, Lakota Eastside Jazz Ensemble, Lincoln Center