Kansas City Kansas Community College vocal jazz ensembles have performed in a lot of different venues but never 650 feet underground.
Never until this past weekend, that is, when KCKCC’s vocal jazz ensemble “The Standard,” joined with two jazz ensembles from Hutchinson Community College in a performance 650 feet underground in the Kansas Underground Salt Mine in Hutchinson Nov. 9.
The next evening, “The Standard” along with “Sonance” and “Badinage” from Hutchinson, performed as part of jazz and barbecue concerts on the Hutchinson campus. Both concerts drew more than 100 jazz fans.
In addition, all of the ensembles took part in clinics with nationally-known vocal jazz educator Kerry Marsh, Professor of Vocal Jazz at Sacramento State University.
An award-winning vocal jazz ensemble under the direction of Director of Choral Music Activities John Stafford II, “The Standard” has been invited to perform throughout the Midwest including last spring’s Kansas Music Educators Association All-State convention in Wichita.
Members of the ensemble include sopranos Megan Young of Leavenworth and Stormy Rhone of KCK, altos Moran Tinsley of Bonner Springs and Lisa Bloom of Basehor, tenors Derek Wallace of Baldwin and Kaleb Lorg of Platte City, Mo.; and baritone Rashad Singleton and bass Andrew Roberson, both of KCK.
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PHOTO: A performance 650 feet underground in the Kansas Underground Salt Mine in Hutchinson and a clinic with nationally known vocal jazz educator Kerry Marsh highlighted KCKCC’s “The Standard” jazz ensemble in joint performances with Hutchinson Community College jazz ensembles. (KCKCC Photo) .
