Time:
Thursday
December, 17, 2015
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Location:
W196
Category
HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Ft. Zumwalt North High School Jazz Band has established itself as one of the outstanding high school jazz ensembles in Missouri, earning high praise from adjudicators and guest artists in performances over the last several years. Since 2002, the band has performed with Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Eric Marienthal, Tony Monaco, Mike Vax, Jim Widner, Chip Stephens, Rick Haydon, Ron Modell, Harry Watters, Wayne Bergeron, Denis DiBlasio, Steve Houghton, Kris Berg, and Al Chez. The band has also hosted concerts and clinics with the John Clayton, Byron Stripling, Terrell Stafford, and Maynard Ferguson.
The FZN Jazz Band this year is making its third appearance at The Midwest Clinic. The band previously appeared at Midwest in 2004 and 2010. FZN has also presented concerts three times at the Missouri Music Educators Conference and at the inaugural Jazz Education Network Conference. In addition, FZN Jazz has performed at the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival and at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, MO.
The FZN Jazz Band takes a non-competitive approach to its curriculum. This approach centers on mastering a large variety of jazz styles in preparation for performing with professional jazz artists and for pursuing jazz performance after high school. This approach also teaches members to appreciate the performances of other youth jazz musicians while striving to achieve at the highest level themselves.
Fort Zumwalt North High School Jazz Band
Conductor's Bio
Rob Babel is currently in his 18th year as Director of Bands at Ft. Zumwalt North High School in O’Fallon, MO and his 23rd year teaching. His duties include directing the Panther Pride Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band. In addition, he assists with beginning and intermediate band at North Middle School. Under his direction the Ft. Zumwalt North Jazz Band has twice previously presented concerts at The Midwest Clinic (2004, 2010) and three times at the Missouri Music Educators Conference (2005, 2009, 2015).
In addition, the FZN Wind Ensemble has consistently earned superior ‘I’ ratings at State Contest and the 135-member Panther Pride Band has been recognized as one of the outstanding marching bands in Missouri, earning recognition as Bands of America Regional Finalist in 2014 and 2015 and receiving Division ‘I’ ratings at BOA Super Regionals in St. Louis for the past three years. In addition, the Panther Pride Band was named Grand Champion of the 2014 Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival.
Mr. Babel has been recognized as the Ft. Zumwalt North Teacher of the Year and the St. Louis Metro Eight Music Educator of the Year. He was also named an O’Fallon Citizen of Achievement. He has served as Jazz Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association and remains active as a saxophone teacher, clinician and adjudicator and currently resides in O’Fallon with his wife Tina, and their three children, Alex, Katie, and Chloe.
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