‘Swingin’ Hornets’ Sway into Line as One of School’s Newest Clubs

The Jazz Band’s woodwind and brass instruments play at the Winter Concert on December 10. *Photo: Catalina Zacapa*

By MARVENS CELIUS

This year, a multitude of clubs were added to Midwood’s arsenal of more than 80. However, one stood out with a fresh vision to revolutionize the school’s music sphere. The Jazz Band Club, known as the “Swingin’ Hornets,” has joined the school’s four other music programs: the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Drumline, and Chamber Music group.

Similarly to the other programs, the club’s musicians perform at school events like Latin Fest, where they made their debut. There, the band performed “Besame Mucho,” an old-time love song by Mexican composer Consuelo Velazquez.

“A lot of teachers appreciated that we played a classic song,” said the club president and founder, Catalina Zacapa ‘27. “I like to share my culture, and we were able to do that through this song.”

Latin Fest was a special opportunity because “we could apply what we learned and practiced in the club to a real performance,” drummer Gordon Henderson ‘27 said.

The club’s 20 members meet every Wednesday, periods 10 and 11, to share their passion. “It’s fun being able to play with my friends and perform for people,” said tuba player Jacob Cuenca ‘28. “It introduced me to a new genre of music.”

For every event, the musicians vote on a piece to perform. “The ability to have the freedom to play the pieces they want encourages them to play more,” said Zacapa.

The band also showcased their skills at both the Winter Concert on December 10 and the Open House on November 6.

“Students have really stepped up and raised the bar, with each performance being more polished than the last,” said club advisor Mr. Todd Hayen.

The students work without a conductor for guidance, so they have to navigate through the pieces themselves. The complexity of jazz’s rhythm and timing pushes them to do their best.

The inspiration for the band’s creation came from the movie Whiplash, about a talented and ambitious drummer who strives to achieve musical greatness under the pressure of a demanding instructor. “That movie inspired the way I connect with people in the club,” said Zacapa. “I can help others who want to become musicians and support their journey.”

Already, the vision set by leaders Zacapa and Cesar Rivera ‘26 are bearing fruit as members learn new techniques and experiment with improvisation.

“I am thrilled with the success of the club and the progress of the band,” said Mr. Hayen. “They have maintained a strong core membership and the club meeting schedule seems to be working well.”

Though still in its infancy, the band is seeking to expand to new horizons in the coming months, tackling Asian Fest and possibly the New York State School Music Association Majors Festival.

This new club could make a lasting impact in the coming years. “It’s exciting. We get to be a part of a cultural movement that will shape the school’s history,” said Zacapa.