DePaul University Jazz Ensemble to Perform at Saint Patrick
January 15, 2008

Saint Patrick High School will host a jazz concert in the Stahl Family Theatre on the evening of February 21. The concert will feature the Saint Patrick Jazz Band and Honors Jazz Band, as well as the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Bob Lark, featuring special guest pianist and conductor, Jim McNeely. Tickets are $5.00, and they are available at www.stpatrick.org or by phone at 773.282.8844 ext. 277.

The Jazz Ensemble is one of thirteen student jazz groups at DePaul University, performing several times throughout the academic year both on and off campus. The band performs regularly at Chicago's premier jazz club, Joe and Wayne Segal's Jazz Showcase. Since Bob Lark's appointment as Jazz Studies Chair and director of the Jazz Ensemble, the band has appeared at the Midwest Clinic (2004, 1998, & 1994), the International Association for Jazz Education Conference, the Duke Ellington International Conference, the National Association of Music Merchants Conference, the Jazz Party At Sea aboard the S.S. Norwegian Sun, twice aboard the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner for their Annual Floating Jazz Festival, and a concert tour of Italy.

Begun in 2000, the Saint Patrick High School Jazz Program consists of 60 students in three bands and combos. The Honors Jazz Band, Jazz Band, and First Year Band rehearse daily, receive credit towards graduation, and perform for school and public events. Private instruction with some of Chicago's finest performers and teachers are also offered on every instrument. Off-campus performance opportunities have included the Jazz in the Meadows Festival, the Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival, Hackney's of Palos Heights, Molly Malone’s of Forest Park and the prestigious Chicago Jazz Festival (2004). Our biennial tours have included New Orleans (2004) and New York City (2006). Saint Patrick Performing Arts Centre has hosted the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, the University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band, the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble, Mark Colby, Tim Coffman, Bob Lark, Chip McNeill, Jeff Coffin, and the late, great Ray Charles. Every summer, Saint Patrick hosts a Jazz Camp for area grade school musicians.