Albemarle High School (AHS) Jazz Ensemble returns to The Paramount with their "Swing Into Spring" Benefit Concert, featuring the nationally-acclaimed Albemarle HS jazz band and an all-star lineup of the area's top professional musicians sitting in with the ensemble. This event is designed as a benefit for the band to give back to the Charlottesville community. Some of this year's guest artists include John D'earth, Jay Pun, Morwenna Lasko, Charles Owens, Taylor Barnett, Carlehr Swanson (Miss Virginia 2024), Greg Thomas, Bobby Gregg, and more!
Benefit Goal: The award-winning AHS Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew LaPrade, has for decades earned high-profile regional and national recognition for its consistent dedication to excellence, and for its unwavering respect and love for this uniquely American art form. The group has enjoyed the support of the Charlottesville community and is proud to headline an event to give back to this same community. For this year's event, the Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble is holding this benefit concert to support ReadyKids.
Kids are ready for life when they are safe, healthy, nurtured, and prepared for learning. To ensure kids are ready, ReadyKids, one of the area's oldest non-profit organizations, provides the Charlottesville area with counseling, family support, and early learning opportunities.
According to director Andrew LaPrade, "This concert is an incredible opportunity for our students to interact with and play with some of the region's great musicians of all genres. In working on this project, the students become aware of community organizations that affect the area in which they live and how they can make an immediate impact with their music. This concert is a springboard to continue this line of work to better their community."
The 34-piece band's fundraising goal for ReadyKids is $5,000.
