Nordonia Hills City Schools will host a free jazz festival featuring middle school bands from across the region and a distinguished guest artist with local roots. The evening of performances will take place Friday, May 16 at 7:00 PM in the Nordonia High School Auditorium.
The concert will showcase the talents of Nordonia 7th Grade Jazz, Nordonia 8th Grade Jazz, Stow Munroe Falls-Kimpton Middle School Jazz, and Cuyahoga Falls-Roberts Middle School Jazz. Directors Mary Schrembeck, Sandra Sandman, and Jim Lang will lead their respective ensembles.
Highlighting the event will be special guest artist Master Gunnery Sergeant Alan Prather, guitarist with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington DC. MGySgt. Prather brings his considerable talents back to Northeast Ohio, where his musical journey began.
A graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School and the University of Akron with a degree in Music Education, Prather served as Band Director for Nordonia Hills City Schools from 1995 to 1999. He later earned his Masters in Music Education from Kent State University before joining the prestigious Marine Band in July 1999, where he has served for nearly 26 years.
The concert is free and open to the public, offering community members a unique opportunity to enjoy outstanding jazz performances and experience the musicianship of a world-class guitarist with deep local connections.
