Thursday, October 1, 2026
South Side High School and South Side Middle School joined forces for a special evening of music, presenting a combined jazz concert in the South Side Middle School auditorium.
The Feb. 11 program showcased performances by the high school’s Stage Band, directed by Anthony Pomponio, the jazz ensemble, under the direction of Barry Lebron, and the middle school jazz band led by Danny Pineyro. The concert highlighted a wide range of classic and contemporary jazz selections, featuring student soloists from both schools.
The Stage Band opened with selections including “Blues for You” by Mark Taylor, “Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione, and Duke Ellington’s swing classic “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” The set also included “Groove Walk” by Carl Strommen, with multiple students stepping forward for instrumental solos on saxophone, trumpet, guitar, vibraphone and drums.
The jazz ensemble continued the evening with Sammy Nestico’s “The Heat’s On,” “Suerte De Los Tontos” by Johnny Richards, “Afternoon” by Pat Metheny, and Gordon Goodwin’s high-energy “Hit the Ground Running.” Featured soloists included performers on tenor and alto saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass, guitar and drums.
The middle school jazz band demonstrated its growing musicianship with selections such as “Bad Attitude!” by Michael Sweeney, John Coltrane’s “Lazy Bird,” and Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas.”
Student soloists were highlighted throughout the set, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The evening also included the presentation of the Stefan B. Lichter Memorial Scholarship Award to eight-grader trumpeter Nick Cuevas and the two schools collaborating on “Chameleon” to close the show.
