The Cerritos College annual Jazz Exchange Concert was held at the Student Center on March 18 with Dr. David Betancourt directing the Cerritos College Jazz Band.

This year’s guest was Carmenita Middle School Jazz Band with Alan Hallback as director.

Hallback has been at the school for 11 years. He said the band is a bit larger this year as usually there were about 18 to 20 students from his school.

As to the exchange program with Cerritos College, Hallback said, “It’s an opportunity for students to see what they can grow into. There are more adult musicians here and also there is more opportunity to play when students later join college.”

Twenty five music students from Carmenita Middle School took part in the concert to perform compositions such as: “Cantaloupe Island,” “La Noche del Burrito Picante,” “Blues Walk” and “Kool Bean.”

Cerritos College Jazz Ensemble performed the second part of the concert, and conducted by Dr. David Betancourt, featured: “Come Fly With Me,” “At Last,” “The Groove Merchant” and “Fiesta.”

Those who participated in the instrumental ensembles of the Cerritos College Band ranged in age from 10 to 80.

A veteran, Rich Starcher, who played the saxophone for the Cerritos Jazz Band, said, “This is a community band, so they invited those from the community to join in, and this is my third year, this group is a strong group and plays well together.”

Engineering major Alvaro Perez played the trumpet who learned how to play the by Hallback before playing for Cerritos College.

Perez said, “Not all pieces are the same, there are hard parts and some easy parts.” He liked the piece, Fiesta, the best.

One student taking part in the concert was undeclared major Craig Jaunzemis, who used to be a journalism major, played a saxophone solo.

Steven McEvilly, who also played the saxophone, said he has been playing for Cerritos College for the past three years and that the quality of the band is improving year by year.