A truly Magical Night of Music

Max Leibinger and Jonathan Ling playing in Jazz 1 (Photo: Alexa Rios, The Puma Prensa)

By Natalia Woods, staff writer

For the ninth year in a row, the Maria Carrillo High School band program put on a lively fundraising event with a raffle, delicious food, and astounding music on April 12. This distinguished annual event, previously known as the “Evening of Jazz”, had a wonderful new spin on it this year with the addition of a bassoon quartet, rock band, mariachi, and much more in addition to MCHS’s  Jazz I and Jazz II Bands. 

This sophisticated night is a key part of the MCHS band’s fundraising efforts every school year. Sophomore Alexis Lavely, a tenor saxophonist for the jazz band, explains how “school and state funding doesn’t cover everything, so [they] try to expand” to raise more money for Carrillo’s band and orchestral programs. This year’s goals are to raise enough funds to get new instruments and update the band room. 

Even before the main show began, the ambiance was set with the array of musical ensembles performing in the main bid room as guests arrived. The room was filled with a variety of prizes to bid on, like gift baskets, experiences—even the opportunity to water balloon fight the director of instrumental music, Matthew Bringedahl. As part of the fundraising, the prizes in the auction and raffle were donated by private donors of local companies.

The show got off to a vivacious start with the mariachi group performing “Los Machetes”, originally composed by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. The Mariachi Club is new to Carrillo this school year but has not once failed to impress the audience with every show they play. Senior Marta Leon Delgado led the group, playing the guitarrón and singing several traditional mariachi songs throughout the night, including “De Colores” and “Cerca del Mar”. Delgado’s beautiful voice, combined with the large ensemble of guitars, trumpets, and violins, all helped to effectively create the sound of classic mariachi. Jazz II followed them up, and the song that stood out most to me was their performance of “At Last” by Etta James. Although originally sung by one person, the group put a spin on it with sophomore Natalia DeAnda and senior Corinne Cole harmoniously duetting, their two voices adding a refreshing tone to the older song.

The string octet plays in the main bid room as guests begin to arrive. (Photo: Alexa Rios, The Puma Prensa)

Combo II, known as the Jazz Apostles, took the stage with the classic, “Just the Two of Us”, originally sung by Bill Withers. This was junior Riley Foster’s first singing solo at a concert, and his smooth voice went perfectly with the song and the instruments being played. Combined with an amazing performance by junior Kapil Dave playing both clarinet and guitar, the composition once again kept the crowd entertained. Ishan Shardha, the drummer of the group, says “Being a part of the Apostles is truly one of the best parts about being in jazz.” He explains how “It’s a self-organized group, so the creative process and seeing [their] progress from rehearsal to stage makes all the practice worth it.”

Following the Jazz Apostles was something that nobody had expected at a high school band concert—a rock group. The band, composed of Trystan Treiner on vocals, Simon Righetti and Silas Tristan on guitar, Zoe Leibinger on bass, and Tony Li on drums, opened their set with a rendition of “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam. Although it was his first time singing with the Carrillo band, Treiner’s vocals were outstanding and stood out to me the entire night. Treiner explained that he chose “Jeremy” as the first song because “it’s the reason [his] favorite band is [his] favorite band.” The smooth switch from classical jazz to a more energetic atmosphere was refreshing, and hopefully, more duality like this will be brought to future band events. 

Jazz I finally stepped up to the stage and left no room to disappoint. Their version of “Who Me” by Count Basie featured solos from two saxophonists, Miles Johnston and Jack Morelli, as well as a trumpet solo by Max Leibinger. For the last couple of songs, junior Skylar Rodriguez joined the band onstage, masterfully singing “Orange Colored Sky” by Nat King Cole. Ella Fitzgerald’s “How High the Moon” was the last song of the night, and the upbeat melody perfectly concluded the evening of music. 

Overall, the 2024 Magical Night of Music was a distinguished event filled with a wonderful range of music that made it worthwhile. From the lively rock band to the elegant string ensemble, there truly was something for everyone, and it was one of the more creative band shows that I’ve attended.

Bailey Epperson, a Jazz I trombone player who has participated in this event two times, shared how it differs from their usual concerts. “The thing with the Night of Music is that it’s much more fun and relaxed,” Epperson explains. “You get to see things that normally aren’t included in shows, and there’s a lot more room for creativity within each group and combo. It’s just what every musician likes to do, play music and have fun.”