While most Compact Corner Concerts take place in the corner, this month’s guest could not fit. The Amp Varsity Jazz Choir brings the style of jazz alive on stage in front of a live audience in the auditorium. With the upbeat, swinging jazz also comes the slow, reflective melodies. This year, with new members and challenges, Amp attempts to qualify for the third time in ADM history for the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships (IVJC).

Last year, Amp was one of the top eight jazz choirs in the state of Iowa, earning them an opportunity at the IVJC. This year, the choir is not only back, but is also attempting to return to the IVJC and perform, surpassing its season from last year. Amp is still in the beginning of their season, but they are already striving for excellence. Abbie Maffin, a senior and a soprano in Amp, understands the drive of the choir.

“I think because we went to jazz championships last year, that is definitely our goal,” Maffin said. “Last year we got seventh out of eight, so I think knowing that, our goal is to definitely get a higher ranking.”

Despite the growth the choir is experiencing, its work has not been easy. Every year, with the departure of old members and the addition of new members, changes must be made, and challenges present themselves for the choir to overcome. New members, like Freshman Alina Kadic, rely on the jazz community to help master the singing.

“[The upperclassmen] helped me with the different techniques on how to sing and also with the visuals, since we have to hold our mic away from our mouth from a certain point and move around,” Kadic said. “They’ve been telling me how to do that, and Mr. Novotney is just helping me with singing and stuff, like the new technique and how to sing.”

With the supportive community focused on improvement, there are more members of the choir than just singers. A rhythm section accompanies Amp in two out of the three songs they perform. One of these instrumentalists is a junior and the bass guitar player, Gianna Benetti.

“The rhythm section has to work together a lot, specifically, in comparison to the singers,” Benetti said. “I know the singers, they work a lot as a small group, and they work with us a lot, but the rhythm section, we’ve had to put a lot of separate time into the music, and we’ve kind of had to figure out how to adjust to the choir separately before the actual season started.”

When compared to previous years, the choir is advancing more quickly and applying much effort toward accomplishing the feat of performing at IVJC.

“I think in comparison to last year, we’ve definitely progressed quicker,” Maffin said. “I feel like the jazz choir this year is pretty advanced with learning, and the songs are really fun, so people enjoy it, which makes it easier to learn and have fun and enjoy what we’re doing.”

SINGERS (left to right):

• Abbie Maffin
• Dawson Foster
• Helena Heitmueller
• Darragh McHugh
• Chloe Meacham
• Will Truitt (absent)
• Addison Caltrider
• Cadence Huskey
• Brooklyn Moore
• William Beebe
• Vaughn-Elise Nardini
• Camden Post
• Alina Kadic
• Langston Wilkins

RHYTHM SECTION (left to right):

• Devin Morey (piano)
• Savannah Morey (trap set)
• Gianna Benetti (bass guitar)
• Owen Horgen (acoustic guitar)

SET LIST: 

This Can’t Be Love – Arr. Jed Scott, feat. Langston Wilkins and Dawson Foster

I’ll Be Seeing You –  Arr. Phil Mattson

Merry Go Round – Arr. Rosana Eckert, feat. Chloe Meacham, Abbie Maffin, Brooklyn Moore, Will Truitt, Alina Kadic