Any Scrooge or Christmas fanatic could find common ground in the cozy set of Yule Be Boppin’. Pierce Middle School kicks off the festivities with a two song set, which is followed by South’s Jazz Band.
Christopher Takis, the director of both bands, is infamously against most Christmas carols. Especially, he quipped to the audience, Justin Bieber’s “Little Drummer Boy” featuring Busta Rhymes. However, this annual event seems to be an exception for him.
“It’s a fun night out, and the kids always seem to really enjoy this evening, and the parents seem to like it,” Takis said. “It’s my way of spreading holiday cheer.”
By teaching both middle and high school students, Takis often gets to watch a student progress in skill, which he cites as one of his favorite dualities of his job. Teaching the different age groups requires different tactics, though.
“I mean, the approach is different. You’re a little more patient with middle school kids in Jazz, because improvisation is such a big part of what Jazz is, and middle school kids are still learning how to do it,” Takis said.
Caleb Thomason-Redus ’27, a Tenor saxophone player, subbed in for Pierce’s set, while also performing with his fellow South students. Thomason-Redus’ favorite of the set was “My Favorite Things,” a musical classic reimagined by John Coltrane.
“I love playing this because I get to play out. In most classical compositions, and some jazz charts, the tenor sax is regarded as a background instrument so I always love when I get the melody,” Thomason-Redus said. “ When I play this song, and this goes for a lot of things I’ve played, I get this feeling that is really hard to describe. The best I can come up with is the feeling an artist would get after completing a painting they’ve been working on for months.”
Thomason-Redus relishes that feeling, along with the patience and focus he’s gained from learning his instrument.
“Everything comes together and I find myself looking down the line of saxophones, watching the light shine of their keys as they play, and I feel proud to be one of them,” Thomason-Redus said.
