Amid the chatter in the hallways and ring of the school bells, the jazz band is making noise that echoes beyond the classroom walls. As the group gears up for the holiday performance season, members offer a glimpse into the heart of the ensemble, revealing how passion, collaboration and discipline converge to create extraordinary music.
Jazz band stands apart from other school ensembles, with its focus on individual musicianship. For Benny Nguyen (’25), the group has been a game changer.
“In marching band, there are twenty people to cover like 95% of the mistakes you make. In jazz, if you don’t know your music, it can really really show,” Nguyen said.
Unlike the competition-oriented focus of marching band, jazz band’s gig-oriented structure creates a different dynamic.
“Jazz band is different because it takes vastly less time out of your day, and we go from gig to gig instead of a set list of competitions,” Ollie Hedrick (’25) said.
While the small size of the jazz band—just under 20 players—demands precision, it also opens the door to remarkable opportunities. A standout experience for Nguyen was playing alongside the White House Band, a renowned local group led by Dave Detwiler.
“Dave is actually a trumpet teacher who teaches around Vienna and other places and is one of the best trumpet teachers in the area,” Nguyen said. “Last year, he had both first and second chair from All-State Virginia band take lessons from him.”
The collaboration with the White House Band involved pieces prepared separately by each group, which then came together during a single soundcheck.
“It was a really unique experience to play music while missing a few parts but then see it all come together during one soundcheck right before the concert,” Nguyen said. “Hearing it finally click was amazing.”
Nguyen, who plays trumpet, describes their entry into the instrument as a serendipitous choice: “The trumpet chose me.” Over two years, Nguyen has embraced the challenges of the instrument, deepened their understanding of music theory and even learned to solo—a feat they share requires both technical skill and confidence. Soloing demands utilizing an in-depth understanding of scales, syncopation and other advanced musical concepts.
For Hedrick, who plays saxophone, the challenges unique to jazz band have extended beyond the music.
“Soloing in front of an audience is nerve-wracking, but it’s helped me overcome my nerves for other things in life,” Hedrick said.
Despite the challenges, both Nguyen and Hedrick value their experiences in jazz band.
“I don’t really have plans for music after I graduate, which is funny since I spent a majority of my time from K-12 doing music,” Nguyen said. “But I hope to do something music-based as a hobby like music production since I actually write my own songs sometimes.”
Hedrick, on the other hand, hopes to continue playing jazz in college, using the skills he’s honed to take his musicianship to the next level.
“Assuming I improve enough, I want to continue playing jazz in college,” Hedrick said.
The jazz band remains a space where students push their limits, build confidence and create music that leaves lasting impressions—both onstage and off.