This year, Jonathan Alder High School is hosting the 7th annual JAM Fest. Starting in 2018, the Jonathan Alder Music (JAM) Fest has been a performance and entertainment based fundraiser for the choir program.
The director, choir teacher Nicholas Mayes, says he wanted to create a fun event, but also a chance for students to show their talent.
“I found when I first started working here that there isn’t any event that we do that gives kids the chance to be one creative with their musical choices,” he says, “but also get feedback for how to be better and all of those things, so I tried to fill the void with JAM Fest and it’s been an event that really helps people improve as musicians.”
The main way students get feedback is through a review from the judges.
“There are usually four judges, and they each have sheets of paper with different categories for the performance,” says senior Joel Mitchell, who is participating in several different acts this year. “Participants get a paper from each judge with feedback on their performance.”
Another way students can get recognition is through the prizes offered.
“There’s a first place, second place, and third place award from the judges,” says Mitchell. ‘There’s also a people’s choice award; that winner is dictated by a donation jar from the audience. The winner usually gets a t-shirt.”
There are around 14 students participating, in addition to performances by the Jonathan Alder choirs, including the new a capella group.
“This is the first year we are debuting the Harmoneers, which is…replacing show choir, the a capella [group], they are doing their first numbers,” says Mayes.
The show is structured like a variety show, and the students audition for a spot in the show.
“Most people try to create skits, they try to create things that are entertaining,” says Mayes. “Some things are campy, so they’re kind of goofy.”
Senior Emily Wheelbarger is a first time participant in JAM fest this year.
Photo courtesy of Nate Eudaily
“So I’m in two acts,” she says. “I’m in an act with six other people. It’s called Mama, I’m a big girl now. It’s [from] the musical ‘Hairspray.’ And I’m also doing an act with Joel Mitchell, and we’re singing ‘Die with a Smile.’”
Wheelbarger wanted to participate in the event to spend time with her friends.
“I was senior,…so might as well, just like, show off talent, I guess…Sing with my friends things I actually want to sing and know.”
The event will include more than just student and choir performances, it is designed to be a family-friendly event for the community.
“It should be a really fun time,” says Mayes. “There will be some yard games, there might be a pumpkin decorating contest, we’ll have a food truck.”
The fundraising portion of the event is a little different this year than in the past, when baskets created and donated by the choirs were the main source of income.
“This year we’re doing less baskets than we typically do,” says Mayes. “This year we’re combining it with another fundraiser, so we’re selling a lot of pastries this year.”
All choir students will sell the pastries until Nov. 6, including at JAM Fest, and will be delivered on Nov. 26.
“The main funding we’re getting this year is from Stoller’s pastry that all the choir kids are doing,” says senior Kyra Neeley, “but the donated baskets will also be auctioned off and the proceeds go to the mic fund, which is our goal this year.”
While the source of money is a little different from last year, all proceeds will still be going to the choir and music boosters.
“The main purpose of JAM fest was always to raise money,” says Mayes. “It’s typically our biggest fundraiser of the year…Some years we’re able to raise $4,000; some years it’s $9,000.”
Since it is a fundraiser, they are planning on having tickets be donation-based rather than a set price.
“Tickets can be bought at the booster site or they can be bought there.” says Mayes. “We’ve been going back and forth on whether or not we’ll do a suggested ticket [price].”
Many student participants are excited about the performance–not just for their own performances, but also those of their peers.
“As much as I’m excited to perform my own act, I’m also just really excited to see what everyone else has come up with,” says junior Jason Dietry, who is singing “The Other Side” from “The Greatest Showman” with senior Nate Eudailey. “That has been my consistent favorite part in past years, and I bet it will be true this year, too.”
