By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
PHS Jazz Ensemble starts 44th UWP Jazz Festival
PHS UWP festival
Platteville High School participants were (front, from left) Nick Demaree, Bea Line, Danielle Dillon, Blake Butson, (second row) Erin Bowden, Hannah VanNatta, Ben Hasker, (third row) Emma Bryla, Bryn Bowden, Adam Roberts, (fourth row) Tom Lambert, Nicole Stephens, (back) Joseph Dillon, teacher Nancy Fairchild and Anna Musarra.

The 44th annual UW–Platteville Jazz Festival kicked off with the Platteville High School Hillmen Jazz Ensemble Feb. 7.

Members of the high school group meet Mondays at 7:15 a.m. to study the jazz styles of the last century. Included in their festival performance were:  “Where Do We Go From Here,” “Black Coffee,” and “The Shiek.”

Following the performance, the students received written and verbal comments about their performance. One of the guest adjudicators was Platteville High School graduate Mark Urness, bass instructor at Lawrence University in Appleton. During the clinic portion of the day, jazz students continued their study of style and ensemble work. They were also able to hear other jazz ensembles and combos from Iowa and as far away as Green Bay.

The Hillmen Jazz also performed at Planning for PHS on Monday, Jan. 10 and performed at a high school basketball game.