Group set to perform at national jazz showcase in New Orleans
Valencia High School’s Two ‘N Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble performed a preview showcase of the group’s numbers at The Auditorium on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for a performance in a national jazz showcase in New Orleans.
The showcase was a chance for the community to see the performances before Two ‘N Four head off to the Jazz Education Network International Conference in New Orleans this week.
JEN is a convention where professionals, educators, musicians and working industry leaders come together to listen to up-and-coming jazz musicians, network and discuss marketing and branding.
Two ‘N Four was one of two high school groups selected to get the opportunity to perform at JEN in New Orleans.
Christine Tavares-Mocha, VHS’s choir director, said the students started preparing and practicing their numbers in August.
“It looks like Monopoly. Two steps forward, one step back, two steps forward, one step back, because you prepare, prepare, and then the fire alarm goes off. And you prepare, prepare, and then there’s a flood in the room, and you have to wait it out,” Tavares-Mocha said about how long the process is for the group. “And then you prepare, and then your accompanist breaks their wrist, and so you’re consistently having to pivot and realize that there’s a higher calling and a purpose for music and why you do what you do, and that it will come together and work out if you just have the persistence.”
Tavares-Mocha said New Orleans is one of the most influential places for jazz music, and she is excited for her students to experience it.
“To see musicians throughout the city, there’s nothing like that. I can’t teach that in a class. I can only talk about it and reference it through a video, but to be there in person, it reminds the students that there is so much music to be made to be had. There’s no scarcity in it,” Tavares-Mocha said.
Two ‘N Four sang nine songs during the preview showcase on Wednesday with songs like “Moanin’” by Bobby Timmons, “Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel and “Earth” by Imogen Heap.
The group of 16 sang each song with harmonies and had soloists including VHS senior Amaya Briggs, VHS junior Isla Bruner, VHS junior Elle Michelson, and VHS sophomore Birdie West take the leads throughout the performance.
Mercedes Nonemacher, a Valencia sophomore and alto in the group, said she joined because music has been a part of her life for a long time.
“I always love singing and being a part of something. So being a part of a team and listening to music are very big parts of my life. And so, because of that, I decided that I was going to audition for jazz because it’s like a tight-knit group. And I get to do what I love with the people I love,” Nonemacher said.
She also plays on the flag football and soccer team at Valencia.
Nonemacher said that the group instills confidence in each other, especially while on stage.
“We’re all there to support each other, and I think part of that is what gives us the confidence that we have, but also putting in time and effort in practicing and being able to know that we can do good, and we will do good,” Nonemacher said.
She added that she hopes JEN and New Orleans will give her the inspiration for music and that Two ‘N Four can be an inspiration for others.
Kai Gomez, a Valencia sophomore and a tenor, said his father is his biggest music inspiration because he showed him diverse genres.
However, when he joined some jazz groups in seventh grade, he immediately “fell in love.”
“The second I started doing jazz, and I joined, like, a group where everybody was cohesive, that’s when I fell in love with jazz. I was like, ‘This is what I want to do,’” Gomez said.
When asked what it felt like to go to JEN with his group, he said it was wonderful.
“It’s the best experience. This is the best experience I’ve had in my life. I’m just so excited that I’m going to do it with all my friends. We all know all of our music, and we’re all going to be competing, and everybody was stressed. Like, everyone’s stressed, but it’s not a bad problem to have,” Gomez said.
