A Night of Jazz and Stars (PHOTOS)

Editor's note: All photographs contributed by Kenneth S. Barron.

Monday was a clear night on which the stars were shining brightly, and none more so than those in .

About 150 residents of all ages turned out to watch and hear “Jazz Under the Stars,” a growing tradition that brings together four school jazz groups—the Weston Middle School jazz band, two Weston High School jazz bands, and the high school jazz choir—for an evening heralded by performers and audience members as a unique way to come together.

Weston High School jazz director Patrick Dandrea said some 100 students from both schools practice several times every week in preparation for the event, which he called “one of our favorite nights of the year.”

“It’s not a typical sit-down-in-a-concert-hall event,” said Dandrea. “It’s much more casual. People can get up, talk to each other—the purpose is so (the audience) can hear jazz music in a setting like jazz should be heard.”

The hour-long performance included a mix of jazz standards like Bye Bye Blackbird and Flight of the Foo Birds as well as some contemporary and popular songs.

Beyond their own achievement, the student performers said they appreciated the community and school spirit afforded by the event.

“It’s a nice community event,” said WHS junior Mark Fishman, who plays the trumpet. “It’s also nice to see the progression of music through the Weston school system.”

Saxophonist Robert Barron, also a junior, said he’s participated in “Jazz Under the Stars” since his middle school days and that he agrees that the event gives the students a good opportunity to showcase their skills together.

“It’s nice seeing how the grades come together and how they’ve improved,” he said.

Hosted by the Tri-M music society, the event benefits musiConnects, a Boston-based charity providing musical experiences and instruction to children in the Boston area.