CHS’s Jazz program has been a renowned integral part of the school for many decades. Expectations are high and the workload is heavy, but the program has proven itself by taking ownership of many pieces including a title by the prominent jazz magazine Downbeat: Best High School Jazz Group Of The Year. 

“Most kids are used to just playing the parts that are put in front of them in a written sheet as they come into our program, and so we have to do a big paradigm shift for them as jazz students,” said Jack Wagner, the sole director of the jazz program. 

The jazz program is split into four unique levels, with Jazz 4 being the most intense and sought-after class to get into. Once students get into Jazz 4, they are placed into one of four jazz combos. A jazz class usually contains two jazz combos, which are small groups in which students perform together.

Jack Wagner: 

Jack Wagner has been running CHS’ Jazz program for over 16 years after previously running an after school program at Ann Arbor’s School of Performing Arts. Throughout many years of teaching, Wagner has carefully constructed a curriculum that works to enhance musical education for students, teach them to perform and become potential professionals. He also believes that students who made it into the advanced classes of his program learn best from real world experience. Being in Jazz 4 takes a level of professionalism, and the classes leading up to Jazz 4 are building up skills and foundational work so students can handle being in Jazz 4.

“People always talk about how doing project based learning in front of audiences is like the highest level of learning you can do, because of the pressure that’s related to it,” Wagner said. “So jazz really comes to fruition because kids are performing in front of audiences more regularly.”

Wagner’s program acts as an outlet for students to pursue their love for music and strengthen their creativity, and also provide opportunities for them to make important jazz connections. Each year, Wagner works to bring some of the biggest names in jazz to visit his program: Joshua Redman and Victor Wooten, two highly decorated jazz musicians, held an open master class last year. Jazz 4 students often also play private gigs at which they get to meet new people and enhance their connections.

Toula Greenawalt:

Saxophonist and vocalist Toula Greenawalt is a sophomore in the Jazz 4 combo temporarily titled “Earth”. She was placed into Jazz 1 her freshman year but then exceeded into Jazz 4.

“It feels like I’m surrounded by people who are better at playing than me, but I think that’s a good thing,” Greenawalt said. “I think it will help me improve faster and I want to catch up as fast as I can.”

While going from Jazz 1 to Jazz 4 has been a difficult experience, Greenawalt is working hard to live up to everyone’s expectations. 

“I think just making sure that you enjoy everything you’re doing and not pressuring yourself to be necessarily the best person in your band helps,” Greenawalt said.

Even though being in Jazz 4 feels like a grind for Greenawalt, the pressure and determination to become an inspiring classmate and musician won’t let her down.

Violet Collier:

Violet Collier is a bass playing senior in Jazz 4 who has been a part of the jazz program for all of her four years at CHS. She currently is part of two combos: Wind, which is commonly referred to as “Top Combo,” and the combo called “Fire.” She was placed into Jazz 4 her sophomore year and has since become one of the core members of Jazz 4.

“I think my experience was very unique as a sophomore, because I definitely wasn’t supposed to be in Jazz 4; there just was no one else that played the instrument that I did,” Collier said. “But I think as the years progressed, it’s gotten easier but also harder. 

I know more now, but there’s also more pressure to live up to the expectations that were placed on me by peers and teachers.”

After being inspired by those more advanced during her freshman and sophomore years, she worked hard to get where she is. To this day, she emphasizes the importance of playing with those better than her, while also being a role model for those who are younger. Not only did Collier gain much playing experience, but she also made many new connections throughout her years in the jazz program.“I think I never would have known about this whole [jazz] lifestyle that I now want to pursue, and I wouldn’t have gotten to know all my friends,” Collier said. “Fortunately, I met many great people like Victor Wooten and Joshua Redman, and hopefully will meet Christian McBride one day [who are jazz musicians].”

For Collier, the Jazz 4 experience revolves around self motivation, as she believes that once one reaches a sufficient level, they must be intrinsically motivated to practice multiple hours a day. Not only has the program been about becoming a better musician, but it has also been about making friends and connecting with professionals.

Will Millitzer:

William Militzer’s piano skills have influenced many of his peers as they play in the practice room on an almost daily basis. He is a junior in the jazz program and has been a part of it for three years. He also really appreciates the feeling of the program and all of the opportunities it brings. As for now, Militzer is placed in the Jazz 4 combo known as “Ice.”

“I would say the best part [of being in the program] is that everyone there is really dedicated to the music,” Militzer said. “If you are in Jazz 4, 90% of the time you’re going to be really, really, into it.”

This year is Militzer’s second year in Jazz 4 after joining a Jazz 4 combo his sophomore year. Militzer believes that by maintaining a careful balance of internal motivation and healthy competition, one can improve much more efficiently. Being the best he can be, by motivating himself to to practice is his goal

“Practicing just gives me hope that it’s not just all a big plateau,” Militzer said. “This program just opens so many doors for me, but only when I put the work in, and I’m trying to make the best out of it.”