Double Exposure was a collaboration between both Aragon and Hillsdale’s Jazz Ensembles. It is an annual event that premiered last year at Aragon. The venue alternates between Aragon and Hillsdale. Hillsdale was scheduled to host the concert this year, but due to a plumbing issue at Hillsdale, the venue was changed to Aragon at the last minute. Still, the Aragon and Hillsdale Jazz Ensembles jointly wowed the audience to swinging beats on Jan. 26, at the Aragon Main Gym.
The production began from the efforts of Aragon band director Troy Davis and Hillsdale Music Director Kevin Gallagher. Gallagher, a former Aragon graduate, says, “Even though we’re rivals, we can still play music together. I think we have a lot to show, learn, and share from each other.”
Double Exposure opened with Aragon’s Jazz Band, playing “Mr. PC” and three additional songs. The Hillsdale Jazz Ensemble followed, opening with the upbeat song “The ‘J’ Bird Rides Again.” Hillsdale proceeded to perform a variety of three other songs, and closed with “North Shore Morning,” a song that began softly before gradually increasing in speed to create a vision of a sunrise.
After a ten minute intermission, the Aragon Jazz Ensemble began the final act with the lively tune, “Crank It Up!” Shortly after, the ensemble played, “Basie-Straight Ahead,” which Davis considered his favorite and most challenging song. The song was followed by “Early to Rise,” a piece composed by Aragon jazz student Neil Mollenauer. Aragon closed with “Bistro Latino,” a fast-paced, energetic, Latin tune.
After the performance, Senior Michael Galea says, “For me and some of my other friends in the group, when we heard Hillsdale, we were very pleased with what we heard. This only made us want to play to our absolute capability.”
“I was thrilled with the performances,” Davis remarks. “I am extremely proud of all of the students in the flexibility, teamwork, and compelling renditions of their music and creative, expressive solos.”
Sophomore Scott Bell adds, “Double Exposure, even in our own gym with terrible acoustics, was the best we had sounded all year. I’ve been in a lot of great bands, and this one has progressed into a great group of musicians. But we still have much to work on.”
In addition to Double Exposure, the Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble embarked on the journey to Folsom Jazz Festival on Jan. 28, after a three hour rehearsal the day before.
“[Folsom] is a statewide jazz festival with many middle school, high school and college jazz bands, combos, and jazz choirs,” says Davis. “Our jazz ensemble placed fourth in their division and our jazz band also placed fourth in their division.”
The jazz students have been practicing every day since the last semester and members have formed a close bond between each other. Freshman Lindsay Dobbs says, “It’s easier to [be part of something new] when you know the people you’re surrounded by love music and jazz as much as you do.”
The ensemble has formed close bonds due to their mutual interests. Junior Abby Clemens says, “I particularly love the kids in the rhythm section because we’re like a family who supports one another.”
Galea adds, “We’re all jazz musicians and have the same reason for being in jazz: because we love it.”
It is clear that Davis shares the same love. “Music is a part of me that cannot be separated. I need it like I need air, food, and water,” he says. “Rather than be inspired to play and direct, it is who I am.”
As the band director, Davis has evidently impacted the jazz students’ lives. “I think that Mr. Davis is a great director,” Freshman Dennis Bremer commented. “He puts a lot of effort into making our band better and pushes us to our highest potential.”
As a graduating senior, Galea says, “These past four years have been the best of my life. Mr. Davis is honestly the greatest, not only teacher, but honestly, the most amazing, inspiring human being I’ve ever had the honor of meeting.”
Galea strives to be a music teacher like Davis and adds, “He’s taught me that hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard. Not only is he my mentor and teacher, but he is one of my best friends. I will sincerely miss him when I graduate.”
Davis has worked extensively to ensure that the ensemble can be as strong as it is. “My job is to encourage my students to be expressive and for them to discover how music is integral to their lives, so they, in turn, cannot live without it either.”
