Members of Hamilton High School Jazz Ensemble had the rare opportunity to take part in a Latin jazz workshop with renowned, multi-Grammy winning artist Arturo O’Farrill ahead of his February 1 performance at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Students participated in the hand-ons workshop inside Hamilton High School’s Little Theater on Friday, January 31.
“It was really interesting to get an immersive experience,” explains Hamilton High School Junior Zara Sagna. “Learning this with somebody who has composed this kind of stuff for a long time has been an amazing experience and I really think that my musicianship has grown,” Sagna adds.
“Anytime I can give kids exposure to professional musicians at the level of someone like Arturo O’Farrill, it is a great chance for them to gain both knowledge and ability, but also inspiration from someone who performs at such a level” says Hamilton High School Band Director Jon Waite. “Students don’t often get these opportunities to interact with someone on that level, so it is special when they do.”
Hamilton students received feedback in preparation for upcoming performances. Farrill is a renowned composer, pianist and collaborator. His visit provided students with an opportunity to specifically learn about his authentic performance techniques and the influence of Afro Cuban music on jazz.
“Afro Cuban music is really important to jazz,” shares Hamilton High School Sophomore Carter Zieger. “Its importance can’t really be overstated so learning these rhythms and meeting a musician who is very talented and has a lot of experience is really important to me as a musician,” explains Zieger.
This opportunity was possible thanks to Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts’ ‘Arts Reach’ program which is designed to provide schools in Southeastern Wisconsin with unique, hands-on learning experiences facilitated by professional artists.
Hamilton High School Junior Zoe Boschek called the workshop a life changing experience. “The exercises actually helped me a lot and our band as whole. It was just really unique,” says Boschek.
“Truly an amazing experience,” shared Hamilton High School Junior Charles Morris following the workshop. “The work we did was really amazing and really cool to kind of depict all the different rhythms.”
Waite says learning about music from a different culture requires different techniques and understandings to be played authentically. “Working with someone who has studied and comes from that background is invaluable in transferring knowledge and understanding that students wouldn’t necessarily get in another way,” he shares.
“I thought it was really creative,” says Hamilton High School Junior Josiah Bender who enjoyed all of the different techniques O’Farrill used to teach students.
HHS Jazz Ensemble was recently selected to receive the Exemplary Performance Certificate from the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) for their performance at the 2024 WSMA State Solo-Ensemble Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.