Ron Carter with the Jazz Ensemble from South High School

Ron Carter, director of jazz studies at Northern Illinois University and educational clinician for the Jazz at Lincoln Center, worked with the members of the Jazz Ensemble from South High School in preparation for their upcoming performances at the 65th Midwest Clinic and at the 2012 Illinois Music Educators Conference. Professor Carter coached the student musicians on the nuances of jazz in his singularly enimitable manner.

2011 IMEA District 1 South HS Jazz Festival Participants

Congratulations to the fourteen members of the Jazz Ensemble at South High School who were selected, through competitive audition, to participate in the 2011 IMEA District 1 Jazz Festival. The festival will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Rick-South High School in Richton-Park, Illinois.

Well done Mustang Musicians!




Carmy Calabria - senior - drum set
Carly Charles - senior - trumpet
Sean Hux - junior - tenor saxophone
Samantha Kotlicky - senior - trumpet
William Moroney - senior -tenor saxophone
Zach Plata - senior - alto saxophone
Michael Ruth - senior - alto saxophone
John Shimanek - sophomore - trumpet
Christian Siki - junior - alto saxophone
Danny Tedeschi - junior - trombone
Josiah Williams - junior - trombone
Ian Williams - junior - piano
Michal Witek - junior - guitar
Julia Wood - junior - bass

2011 Homecoming Variety Show

The Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove opened the 2011 Homecoming Variety Show with a fabulous rendition of the classic tune Straighten Up and Fly Right, featuring senior vocalist Colleen DeRosa. The ensemble swung hard, and the crowd appreciated the professional presentation of the tune. Great work tonight Jazz Ensemble!