Airmen of Note - News & Photos - McDonogh School

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Big Band is "Awesome"

Contributed By SYSTEM

The concert treated McDonogh band members and guests to electrifying renditions of classics by Glenn Miller, Count Basie, John Coltrane, and other jazz legends. The group's bold sound had audience members tapping and clapping to the beat.

Jazz band director Don New drew the biggest applause, when the Airmen asked their former colleague to perform with them. New's serenaded his wife with a velvety rendition of "When I Fall in Love."

To conclude the concert, the AON and McDonogh jazz band members performed "Sing, Sing, Sing." John L., a senior, delighted the crowd with his energetic drum solo.

The joint performance capped a thrilling evening for McDonogh musicians. They could really appreciate the AON's "awesome" talent. In sectionals before the concert, AON members suggested techniques to help the students improve their skills.

Created in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Glenn Miller's Army Air Corps dance band, the Airmen of Note rose to the forefront of big-band jazz in the 1970s. Today the group is one of the country's few touring big bands.

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