Jazz festival attracts big crowd
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

READY TO ROLL- Tiffany Wang, a pianist for Oak Park High School's Jazz A band, prepares to perform at the recent Westlake High School Jazz Festival.

Nearly 50 jazz bands from middle schools and high schools throughout Southern California performed May 19 at the Westlake High School Jazz Festival.

It was the first time the school had hosted a jazz competition. The turnout of more than 800 student instrumentalists was surprising to Mike Gangemi, Westlake's assistant band director. He had hoped that the event would attract 20 groups. Not only was the figure more than double that but bands came from as far away as Moreno Valley in Riverside County.

"This was pretty big for being our first one," Gangemi said.

Three venues were set up on campus for band competitions. The nine judges included band directors from area middle schools, high schools and colleges. Each band received a digital review of the judges' comments.

"The caliber of musicianship was amazing," said Cynthia Woodward, who co-chaired the event with her husband, Rob, and Sharon Faltemier.

Participants also enjoyed a clinic with Gordon Goodwin, an Emmy and Grammy awardwinning jazz instrumentalist and composer.

"This is a great experience for kids in jazz bands because they don't have major events like marching bands do," said Goodwin's wife, Lisa Goodwin. "To hear other schools and how they play gives kids a good perspective."

This was the first competition for Brendan Lubin, a seventhgrade trumpet player in the Jazz B band at Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills.

"I was nervous, but it was fun," Brendan said.

Organizers raised more than $5,000 through food concession sales and a $5 admission fee. The money will benefit the Westlake High music program. The school will probably host the event again next year, Woodward and Gangemi said.

"It's always astonishing to hear how well these kids play," said Larry Crane, whose daughter Tessa plays in several Westlake High School ensembles.

Westlake High School has a strong tradition of supporting music education, Rob Woodward said. The school offers students eight different types of music with multiple ensembles in each. The more than 230 students in the program attend competitions year-round.

The festival is just one of a variety of efforts that parent volunteers support to help Westlake's music department. A corporate sponsorship program has been launched that offers publicity to businesses, and musical entertainment by students is available for company events.

It takes about $150,000 a year to fund the Westlake music program, according to Rob Woodward.

"Car washes and bake sales were basically aimed at parents. You might as well just write a check to the program," he said. "We wanted to see what we could do for the community."

Music programs are the most expensive budget items for schools and need backing from the community, added Nancy Davis, a leader in Westlake's Music Department Booster Club.

"We're proud of the program, and we're proud of the kids," she said.