4th Avenue Jazz Company kicked off its performance season November 2nd at West High School’s annual program ‘Works in Progress.’ The show lineup remained consistent with the previous years: City Lights, City’s Junior Varsity show choir, started the show, followed by West High’s JV show choir, Showtime, trailed by City’s varsity show choir, 4th Ave, leaving the varsity show choir from West, Good Time Co, to close the show. This year, however, the show was less predictable as City High proved they could do more than just jazz squares.

As 4th Avenue Jazz company took to the stage on November 2nd, the audience sat quietly, expecting the jazzy chords and melodies often associated with 4th Avenue Jazz Co.’s traditional setlist to flood the packed auditorium. A collective head tilt rippled through the audience as music with sheet music directions like “Fast Pop Groove” and “Dark Pop” met their ears. This was an unexpected twist.

“Pop music presents a unique challenge that wasn’t present in the classic Fourth Ave style we have been doing; with pop, we risk looking like every other group. In order to make our show stand out and achieve at the high standard which we have set, we will have to add dimensions our performance.” Danielle Tang 17 and said, “Since pop music doesn’t generally focus on dynamics and other aspects of musicality, the members this year will have to really tap into their own musicianship and add personal expression that can’t be found in the original songs.”

The 4th Avenue Jazz Company show has remained relatively consistent since its introduction to the city high curriculum back in the mid 80’s, with the show circulating around, well, jazz music. City High has been praised by judges as an ‘old show’ that brings a sense of nostalgia to show choir competitions. In recent years, however, these judges have been retiring, leaving the placement decisions to young, hip, new judges. It was time for a change.

Dr James Thompson recognized this, and brought in Cedar Rapids based choreographer LD Kidd in hopes of introducing a more fresh, modern take on 4th Ave’s classic choreography.

“I think if a pop song is executed correctly and is performed with a lot of high energy, enthusiastic people, it could go amazingly,” Bubba Perez ‘18 said, “But if it isn’t done with high energy it could seem non-engaging and boring to the audience.”

Keaton Scandrett ‘18, agreed with Perez’s positive outlook.

“It could be one of the best shows we’ve ever seen at City.”