Jazz band prepares for Senior Senior Prom

Christina Quigley, 15, is excited to play for tonight's Senior Senior Prom.

"It's fun seeing the senior citizens dancing to our music," she said. "You can see they're having a good time."

Carson High School's jazz band will provide the music for the senior citizen prom, the prelude to the school's senior prom Saturday.

Before playing for the prom, the jazz band will first participate in a competition at the University of Nevada, Reno as well as in their regularly scheduled band classes.

Tumpet player Stephen Myler, 18, said juggling their time is worth the effort.

"When we're playing, it's not like doing something tedious like in the classroom," he said. "It's something we enjoy. When we're out there playing, we elevate ourselves to new levels."

It also creates a sense of camaraderie among band members.

Raymond Pistoresi moved to Carson City from California and joined several of the high school's bands.

"I made a bunch of new friends in the band here. In fact, I met my best friend," he said. "It worked out well for me."

And it gives them a sense of self.

"I like to bring attention to myself playing solos in jazz band," said Chris Martinovich, 16. "It makes me feel good."

The band has prepared for tonight's gig and other competitions under the tutelage of retired Douglas County choir teacher Jackie Maye while their regular teacher Larry Holloway is undergoing chemotherapy.

Although she has never taught band before and only taught high school for two years -- 31 years ago -- Maye said she is enjoying the experience.

"It's harder than I thought it would be but I love it," she said. "I don't think I would do this for anybody else but Larry Holloway. Everybody loves him."

She is proficient in music but struggles sometimes with band terminology and once threatened to take a student's recess away. But she said, in general, the same teaching techniques apply.

"I tell them a story about a composer then I play them one of that composer's songs," she said. "And you know what? They all seem to kind of like it."

IF YOU GO

What: Senior Senior Prom

When: 7 tonight

Where: Carson High School gymnasium

Admission: Free