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Kenny Ormonde, the band director, recently built Granite’s band from the ground up and has helped the students learn and master their instruments.

“My goal is to build up and get the jazz band going again,” said Ormonde.

It is the first time in four years that Granite has had a jazz band.

The band is currently working on four music charts, which are pieces of music. One of the charts is called “Basically the Blues,” which is a swing blues chart. Second, they are doing a jazz classic called “Take the A-Train,” which features some of the musicians with a solo. The band has also been working on a Pink Panther remix. Finally, “My Funny Valentine” is the newest piece the band is learning.

The band director plans to add more to the repertory, but right now they are focusing on getting the four songs mastered. The pieces that the students are learning are also pieces commonly played in college.

“I’m trying to not only get them prepared for high school level,” said Ormonde, “But also have them learn charts that will get them ready for college level playing too.”

Students not only need the instruments, but also a good attitude to efficiently work as a team and become a good band.

“My favorite part about jazz band is playing in the morning,” said sophomore, Lilly Mejia, “The hardest part is waking up for it.”

One of the prerequisites for jazz band is that the students also have to be signed up for the band program. It is required that all students who play in the jazz band participate in the marching or concert band as well.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said freshman, Stephanie Aguilar, “You have to be able to read music. Jazz uses a lot of different techniques than in regular band, but you have to be able to play band music in order to be able to play jazz music.”

By waking up early every morning, the musicians are at the start of something new.

“We’re really excited about the first year, they’re off to an awesome start,” said Ormonde, “We already have over twenty members who are meeting every day before school. They are getting the jazz band worked up and it’s really exciting because they haven’t had one in over four years or longer.”