As I walked in, 5 minutes fashionably late, the music boomed all around me and my friends. The middle school band had been playing “Billy Boy” and I was just trying to catch along where they were within the song. 

Being the jazz ameateur I am, I was automatically blown away. Everyone sounded professional and synchronized. 

Those around me, mostly parents and grandparents, were tapping their feet and bopping around their heads, enjoying seeing their kids perform, but also enjoying themselves and their appreciation for jazz.

The way I found out about the night was by word of mouth, from friends who were performing that night, which was my main motive for going.

But shortly after being in the audience, I realized that I enjoyed it further than just supporting my friends. 

Fellow audience member and friend Lilyanna Muniz felt that the night was “…the night of showcasing talent that was so heart warming  to the Dallastown community.” 

Everyone in the room was enjoying themselves, especially those on stage performing or waiting to perform. 

Exchanges of laughter and excitement was evident in the multiple groups performing that night, just showing how times to display their talent can be so connecting.   

 Maryam Ba, audience member and coincidentally my friend as well, thought that all the band’s performances were “amazing and they all looked like they belonged up on stage.” 

Considering the fact that this was the first Night of Jazz, the middle school auditorium wasn’t incredibly full, but I think for years to come and more word about the night spreads, the crowd will grow. 

It was almost like a gift having a smaller audience because the performances felt more tight-knit and personal, like a small group of us knew about this “underground” thing happening right in our own school! 

To top it off, there was a bake sale in the lobby that could accommodate the sweet tooth of those there that night. 

Overall it was a really good night and I’m excited for more to come, as well as it’s popularity to expand.