“Swing into the Night” 2010

“Swing into the Night” 2010
Our largest performance of the year is now in the past once more.  Each spring, the Jazz Band puts on a three hour long swing dance with between 25 - 30 different songs from the 30’s and 40’s.  This is a huge undertaking for my high school group (which is still performing at festivals, traditional school concerts, and local service clubs all year long).


Transforming the cafeteria into a swing-era nightclub takes months of planning and a good deal of the day with a full complement of helpers.  This was going on simultaneously with a 3 hour dress rehearsal Saturday morning. I had two hours from the point the decorations were in place until when I needed to be back. During this time, I went to Starbucks and worked on final touches to the program and the announcer’s script.  We’re also starting a new thing called “Instrument Angels” that needed a flyer made up.  Got changed.  Directed traffic.  Public arrived.  Dancing instructor replacements needed - quick!  Found! Whew!!  Three hours on stage with four 10 minute breaks.  Great turn out.  Fun time. Lot’s of dancing, eating, socializing, and music loving.  90 minutes of cleanup.  Half hour drive home.  I lost 6 pounds!


Today I spent 2 hours driving up to school and taking down the four 8’x4’ 5/8” plywood billboards that have been up for the past few weeks.  Now the Swing Dance is officially over.


It really is a great event because of who it brings together.  High school students, young adults, parents, grandparents, otherwise unconnected seniors from the community, swing dance circuit regulars.  Everyone has a great time and it isn’t weird for a 16 year old couple to be dancing next to a pair of octogenarians. 

And let’s not forget about the music. We’re preserving this great American music that was such a huge part of the early 20th century popular culture - and is in the direct ancestry of pop music today.  I feel it my responsibility as a music teacher and musician to keep the music of the past alive in the hearts of the current generation. Particularly music that is part of their national heritage.  


As long as it gets the toes tappin’, Swing Music will live strong.