BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Fifteen Bow High School music program students, brass instruments and all, set up for a concert, something they had been through before. But this was a different setting than they are used to.

Ashley Warner, a parent of band member Orli Gottlieb, asked the band play at a private function at her Bow home.

She was hosting the event as a Christmas party and to celebrate her recent graduation from medical school. More than 60 parents and friends filled her home for the concert.

“This year’s jazz band is a very elite group of fine musicians, and having them in my home with all the parents, was just a really amazing experience,” said Warner. “The parents were completely enthralled by the quality of the music that they put out.”

In addition, Warner said many children who play different instruments, or who don’t play at all, were impressed as well and expressed their interest in becoming involved in the future.

“It was a very successful venue for promoting the music program and for students and parents who aren’t involved to see what the music program does,” said Warner.

Among the seniors in the band are twins Tim and Andrew Maher, who will be attending Harvard University next fall.

“It was a blast playing for a private audience. We had people dancing and it was kind of an adrenaline rush to play in front of a party-type audience and yet, at the same time, it was more relaxed,” said Tim. “In any case, it was a lot of fun.”

Andrew hopes more opportunities will be forthcoming.

“I hope it’s not a one time thing because we really had a good time. And, the more we do it, the more comfortable we will be with it, so I hope we do this more in the future,” Tim said. “It’s just a great opportunity to share music on a higher level than we are normally able to with the regular band. The level of commitment is higher, which results in us having more fun.”

That dedication has led the jazz band to excel on multiple levels this year. Tim said the band sat down at the beginning of school year and decided to take the band more seriously and play more challenging material.

“It’s a great group of kids this year and it’s probably the most talented group I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I’ve been in the band since I was a freshman and this is the most fun I’ve had.”

It is the fun aspect, however, that drives the dedication, said senior John Cunningham, one of the band’s student leaders.

“They go hand in hand,” Cunningham said. “When you’re dedicated, you end up having a lot of fun. And when your’re having fun, it drives your dedication.”

Cunningham said the band has already played more music than any jazz band of years past and if all goes as planned, he hopes the group will play at the Clark Terry Jazz Festival at UNH in March.

Junior Julieann Hartley said seniors like Cunningham and the Maher brothers have helped show others that playing instruments can be enjoyable if one is willing to put in the time to improve.

“This year is just a really cool group because everyone just loves it,” she said. “Just being there, everyone is advanced, so we get there and we just play. It’s not fixing stuff, it’s just having fun.”