The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend
The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend
The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend

Jazz Band Prepares for Competition

Ashley Ventura, Photographer
February 9, 2024

Downey High School’s Jazz Band is preparing for their Jazz Band competitions around the country. Their first competition begins Friday, January 26th in Folsom, California, and leads to the big LPAA Folsom Jazz Festival. I spoke to a few students about their preparation and expectations this season. I wanted to know how they train leading up to the competitions and some advice they would give to others. I watched and stood astonished as Combo A practiced after school.

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Ashley Ventura
Saxophone player Angel Cazachkoff, 11, is looking forward to attending the LPAA Folsom Jazz Festival in April for the second time as the jazz choir had won last year in 2023. “The best part of the competition is winning with the band and choir, because when we win, it feels super amazing, as it rewards our hard work.” States Cazachkoff. “And I want to make our director Mr. Olariu happy and make sure his amazing teaching is granted the admiration it deserves.”
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About the Contributor
Ashley Ventura
Ashley Ventura, Photographer
Opening to try new things for her last year of high school, Ashley Ventura found interest in being a photographer in the Downey Legend. With her skills in photography, she plans to thrive and push to get into Rio Hondo College to experiment with the art of photography and makeup. Even though becoming a makeup artist is something she would like to have a career in, there is something about photography that has always had a strong grasp on her.  “Being a photographer is capturing the magnificent moments in time,” Ventura stated. “These moments are not just pictures but memories that mean something significant to people and can always look back and smile knowing that a person cared to keep care of that moment.”