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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Gallery: High school jazz bands learn from NIU faculty, receive scholarships

NIU hosted Jazz Day from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the School of Music.
Sofia Howell
Argo Community High School Jazz Band tenor saxophonist Daniel Nino looks into the audience as he performs his solo in “The Peanut Vendor” by Moises Simons. Nino was featured in two pieces of Argo’s Jazz Day performances with “Doxy” by Sonny Rollins and “The Peanut Vendor.” (Sofia Howell | Northern Star)
By Sofia Howell and Eric McGill
Feb 9, 2026

NIU School of Music faculty provided remarks and lessons to 11 high school jazz bands after the students’ performances.

Boutell Memorial Concert Hall

Argo Community High School Jazz Band director Jeanette Soebbing directs the band during “My Funny Valentine” by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart as Yuliana Vargas is featured on the alto saxophone. “My Funny Valentine” is a show tune from Rodgers & Hart’s musical “Babes In Arms.” (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
Argo Community High School Jazz Band performs “The Peanut Vendor” by Moises Simons as Daniel Nino is featured on the tenor saxophone. The schools mostly attended from the Chicagoland area but attendance stretched to Iowa. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
Argo Community High School Jazz Band director Jeanette Soebbing smiles at the crowd following the band’s performance during Jazz Day on Thursday at Boutell Concert Hall. Argo Jazz band performed three out of their four pieces: “Doxy” by Sonny Rollins, “My Funny Valentine” by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and “The Peanut Vendor” by Moises Simons. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
The Metea Valley High School Jazz Orchestra features baritone saxophonist Gaspar Guadarrama during their final piece “Chameleon” arranged by Victor López. The NIU Jazz Orchestra performed at 12:20 p.m. for the high school bands. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
Normal Community High School trumpet player Jake Piotrowski performs his feature during the band’s opening piece “Groove Merchant” by Jerome Richardson. Normal Community’s “Groove Merchant” had two alto saxophone and two trumpet features. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
The Normal Community High School Jazz Ensemble performs “Salsa Caribeña” by Victor López as Balian Geigner is featured on the bass trombone during Jazz Day at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Normal Community performed three pieces for its NIU Jazz Day performance. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
Normal Community High School Jazz Ensemble features Elizabeth Forrest (left) on trombone and J Aldeman on the tenor saxophone during “Salsa Caribeña” by Victor López. The NIU Jazz Day featured 20-minute performances by each high school band followed by a 20-minute clinic session by NIU faculty. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)
The Metea Valley High School Jazz Orchestra features a duet with baritone saxophonist Gaspar Guadarrama and alto saxophonist Santino Ruis during “Center Line” by Doug Beach. Guadarrama and Ruis were featured in all three pieces Metea Valley performed. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star) (Sofia Howell)

 

Recital Hall

A North Scott High School saxophonist focuses on her sheet music during their Jazz Day performance on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. The event went from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
North Scott High School band teacher Carl Collins instructs his students during their performance at Jazz Day on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. The music department will be hosting String Days on Feb. 19 and March 20. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
A North Scott High School saxophonist plays her solo during their Jazz Day performance on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. Outstanding soloists will be offered scholarships to attend Jazz Combo Day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 17 at the Music Building. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
A North Scott High School drummer performs during their Jazz Day performance on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. The School of Music provided over nine faculty members to help each band throughout the day. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
A North Scott High School saxophonist performs his solo during their performance on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. Performances took place in the Recital Hall and Boutell Memorial Concert Halls during the event. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
Trumpet and Jazz Studies Instructor Pharez Whitted talks to the North Scott High School band after their performance on Thursday inside the Music Building, Recital Hall. Each band had a lecture after their performance where NIU staff gave them tips to improve their musical abilities. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
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About the Contributors
Sofia Howell
Sofia Howell, Former Photojournalist
Eric McGill
Eric McGill, Photo Editor
Eric McGill is a junior from Demorest, Georgia, majoring in marketing in the College of Business. He joined the Northern Star as a photojournalist in spring 2026. In his free time, Eric enjoys sports, gaming and playing with his two cats, Bucket and Corndog.
More to Discover
More about jazz day
North Scott High School trumpet players perform during their Jazz Day performance on Thursday inside the Music Building. NIU faculty listened and commented after the performances from 11 different high school bands throughout the day. (Eric McGill | Northern Star)
NIU continues Jazz Day tradition, welcoming high school bands from Chicagoland, beyond
Courtesy of Ron Carter
Jazz Day a means of recruitment for NIU school of music

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