The Wayland Cultural Council is pleased to announce a new photo exhibit in its Gallery at the Wayland Town Building. This exhibit describes the trip taken by the Wayland High School Honors Jazz Band and its director, Joe Oneshuck, to New Orleans in April 2009.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Wayland resident and BSO member Richard Sebring composed a special piece, “Hang On, Old New Orleans,” for the Wayland Middle and High School Jazz Bands, Chorus, and Orchestras. With the help of the Berklee College of Music, Oneshuck arranged for New Orleans native and famous jazz musician Donald Harrison to participate in the premier of the work as the guest soloist. All the proceeds from the concert (about $3,500) were given to Habitat for Humanity and to assist displaced musicians.
While working with the groups, Mr. Harrison told the musicians about the aftermath of the hurricane and how this devastation was affecting the birthplace of jazz. These stories inspired Oneshuck and the Honors Jazz Band to visit New Orleans and to help with the rebuilding.
In New Orleans the Jazz Band, their chaperones, and Oneshuck worked with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild a house on America Street in the Ninth Ward. They also participated in a master class with Professor John Mahoney at Loyola University; gave a performance dedicated to Wayland Veterans at the National D Day Museum; attended a performance at Preservation Hall and a performance by the Dukes of Dixieland on the riverboat “Natchez”; and enjoyed New Orleans food and culture during a festival in the historic French Quarter.
The students benefited as musicians and as human beings from this trip and playing and learning the New Orleans style and musical flavor changed the Wayland jazz program, probably forever. Students who made the trip were: Danny Sebring, Ryan Roseblatt, Graham Mellen, Nick Karlson, Alex Way, Chris Ogletree, Ryan Black, Matt Ripley, Joe Bushee, Oliver Levin, Mike Synodis, Jeremy Pivor, Patrick Curtin, Drew Levey, Ryan Budnick, Katie Hill, and Maya Perry; in addition to Oneshuck, they were accompanied by chaperones Julie Pivor, Laura Bushee, Jen Mellen, Gus Sebring, and their Cajun tour guide Les Tassin.
The exhibit will be on display through March.
