Student selected for Seton Hill Youth Honors Jazz Band

Megan Peters, a seventh grade student at Meyersdale Middle School, was selected to perform in the Seton Hill Youth Honors Jazz Band.

The performance was held on March 12 at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center. The concert also included a performance by the Seton Hill University Faculty Jazz Quintet. The Youth Honors Jazz Band, directed by Dr. Ted DiSanti, featured an elite group of 15 student musicians from Franklin Middle School, Greater Latrobe Junior High School, Hempfield High School, Hillcrest Intermediate, Harrold Middle School, Penn Middle School, Pleasant Hills Middle School, Southmoreland Middle School, Trafford Middle School, Yough Intermediate School and Meyersdale Middle School.

Peters, the daughter of Elissa and John Peters, played the alto saxophone for this performance. She also plays the baritone saxophone and is a member of the Meyersdale Area High School concert and jazz bands.

“I play many instruments, but I play the baritone and alto saxophone. These are my favorite instruments to play and are one of the easiest to learn. I picked this instrument because I’ve always liked the jazz band at Meyersdale and I eventually wanted to be a part of it one day,” Peters explained. “I’ve been playing saxophone for three years now. I started playing in fifth grade.”

Students spent several weeks in rigorous rehearsals in preparation for the concert under the guidance and expertise of Dr. DiSanti. He is an associate professor of music at Seton Hill, where he serves as the coordinator of commercial music. DiSanti’s musical career has extended far beyond Seton Hill. He is a jazz musician with an impressive record of performances throughout the country.

Peters was selected for the Youth Honors Jazz Band through a challenging audition process. Auditions are open to students in grades 6 through 8, who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass or drum set.

Students performed several pieces for the concert, including “No Harm No Fowl,” “3 AM,” “Ready Freddie,” “Good Times,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and “Cantaloupe Island.”

“I had a wonderful time at Seton Hill and I hope to go back next year. The director was very nice and taught us all so many things. It is always great to play with the people you know, but it is even better to meet new people to spend time with and play music together with them,” Peters added.