Shepherd Jr. High and LaSalle Peru High School Jazz Bands In Concert @ The Abbey

The Shepherd Jazz Ensemble is an audition-based performing group made up of 7th and 8th grade students from Shepherd Middle School. This is the Shepherd Jazz Ensemble’s second year of existence, with weekly rehearsals occurring before school starting in December. Shepherd Jazz Ensemble’s mission is to give students an opportunity to explore the theory, technique, and history of jazz music, where students will learn swing rhythms, blues scales, and improvisation skills.

LaSalle-Peru Township High School District 120 is located in north-central Illinois near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Interstate 39 and encompasses 184 square miles. Established in 1898, LaSalle-Peru Township High School and its music programs have a

storied history. The band has been led by influential directors, such as Chris Izzo and Mel Pontious; has performed at numerous events regionally, nationally, and internationally, including the 1973 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic; and counts many fine music educators, such…