“Jazz Under the Stars” will be presented Friday evening as the Cleburne High School and Smith and Wheat Middle School Jazz Bands perform in an outdoor concert set for 7 p.m. at Hulen Park.

“We hope everyone comes out with their lawn chairs, blankets and picnic suppers to enjoy a night of jazz performed by our high school and middle school musicians,” said CHS Jazz Band Director Keith Davis. “This is the first time we have presented an outdoor jazz concert at the park and we hope it will become a tradition. We think this will be a great way to spend Friday evening.”

The jazz concert will feature pieces ranging from the big band era to hits from the 1960’s forward. Admission is free.

Cleburne High School organized one of the first high school jazz bands in the state, which began in the early 1980’s as the Transition Stage Band, through the efforts of retired band director Alan Reed. The high school ensemble has performed at numerous civic functions through the years, most recently at East Cleburne Community Center’s annual banquet. The Smith Middle School Band was organized last spring, with Wheat’s jazz group debuting this school year.

Members of the 2008-2009 CHS Jazz Band include Sterlin Peterson, Francisco Rodriguez, Drake Mathia, Ethan Jones, Tristan Burt, Chris Huot, Kelsey Robinson, Chris Taylor, Ryan Looper, Ty Greenslade, Destin Chapman, Kristen Hadley, Grayden Carroll, Bailee Perkins, Travis English, Jared Nolan, Zak Pena, Bailey Harrington, Eli Breland, Dakota Easdon and Jacob Tassin.

Members of the Smith Middle School Jazz Band are Stefen Lott, Anna Thomas, Kelsey Stewart, Katie Tanner, Kacie French, Britton Barbee, Oren Briggs, Davis Brown, Sarah Hinson, Annyssa Interrante, Grant Koslowski, Hunter McBroom, Hunter Stepherson, Roy Hennesay, Lina Fatton, Alyssa Foree, Hayden Helmcamp, Brennan Jones, Cameron Mitchell, David Shearer, Garrison Roe, Cheston Cannon, Hunter George and Hope Scott.

The Wheat Middle School Jazz Band features Matthew Jones, Marysa Johnston, Chaise Young, Ryan Cook, Kyle Parkinson, Adrianna Maddox, Christian Rendon, Daniel Campos, Ivan Garcia, Paul Talley, Itzel Anderson, Kolby Richardson, Spencer Molina, Brandon Carlton and Emma Fellers.

In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Cleburne High School Cafeteria.