Henderson, Tennessee – (April 26, 2024) – FHU’s newly established Legacy Jazz Ensemble traveled this spring to Austin, Texas, for a long weekend to perform, mentor and recruit at two private schools: Brentwood Christian School and San Marcos Academy.
The following students took the four day trip: Adrian Navarro, Alex Tovar, Austin Eddy, Cody Tanner, Donovan Smith, Elizabeth Rose, Ella Allen, Emma Barker, Grayson Sandefur, Hannah Sherwin, Harrison Kelley, Jacob Farber, Landen Wells, Luke Gibbs, Marlee Gary, Nathan May, Scott Cochran, Seth Miller, Tyce Wilkerson and Xavier Falkenheim.
While visiting the two schools, the Legacy Jazz Ensemble performed a collection of songs for the students and were also able to sit in with the students during their own band classes. At Brentwood Christian School, members of the Jazz Ensemble encouraged the high school students by accompanying the band in their own music and later inviting the young musicians to join in practice with the college group.
At San Marcos Academy, the FHU students performed a number of songs and were able to observe the middle school band class. After lunch, San Marcos students from various grade levels watched Dr. Michael Yopp direct the Jazz Ensemble. Yopp is associate professor of music and is the director of FHU’s Legacy Jazz Ensemble.
“The trip was a great way to grow closer to the other people in the group, and it was nice feeling so confident in the music we had prepared that we could take it anywhere,” Wilkerson, a sophomore biochemistry major, said.
The students asked questions and interacted with the band between songs. The FHU students explored Austin and San Antonio before returning to Henderson.