MUSCATINE, Iowa — When a band wants to dance to its own music, its a sign that something’s swinging.

And that’s just what one group of Muscatine High School band students are talking about this week as they prepare for the annual  All-City Swing Dance.

The Saturday, May 16, event takes place at the MHS Stan Howe Commons and features dance music from the swing era.

As the band rehearsed some of  Benny Goodman’s big-band era hits this week, MHS senior Josh Kassmeyer said the music was inspiring.

“It makes you want to get up and dance,” he said. “We played for 1  1/2 hours  and we just wanted to stay. Afterwards, everyone went home and got on their computers and kept talking about it.”

The MHS students will perform along with the West and Central middle school music students.

Kassmeyer, who plays bass trombone, began performing at the dance when he was in middle school.

“It’s a lot of fun playing for people who are dancing,” said Kassmeyer. “You get involved with the dancers. They feed off the band and we feed off them.”

Jeff Heid, the MHS director of bands, said this is the outcome he hoped for when he created the Swing Dance event.

“You show the audience what you can do, and if you’re having fun, they will too,” said MHS junior Zane Halstead, who will mark his fourth year of playing at the Swing Dance.

MHS junior Brandon Dorris is accustomed to playing classical music for his fellow musicians and teachers, such as Heid, to increase his musical skills, but the Swing Dance pieces are pure entertainment.

“This style of music appeals to people who don’t have a musical background,” said Dorris. “This is just for fun and it’s good to be exposed to that kind of situation.”

Heid’s first venue for giving students a taste of a leisure-type performance atmosphere was the All-City Jazz Concert in 2001 which attracted an audience of approximately 15 people.

“After that year, I said we were going to make a major change,” Heid recalled. “And so we did by creating the swing dance.” 

The dance has increased in popularity each year with last year’s event attracting 180 ticketholders.

Megan Cooney, one of the District’s two  orchestra instructors, and her student group, the Wingin’ Strings, will also be part of the production.

The River City Six, a professional dance band  from Davenport, will play between the student group performances.

The family friendly event provides a historical experience for many students, said Heid.

“Many students and patrons will dress the part and come wearing cool outfits,” said Heid. “But that isn’t necessary to participate.”

The evening also includes a dessert table and non-alcoholic beverages.

Details

What: The Muscatine High School Band Department presents the All-City Swing Dance

When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, May 16

Admission: $5 in advance which can be purchased from any MHS band student, or, $6 at the door. Children 5 and under free. 

Where: The Muscatine High School Stan Howe Commons, 2705 Cedar St.

Details: The dance will feature all live music by West Middle School Jazz Band, Central Middle School Jazz Band, MHS Jazz Ensemble, MHS Jazz Band, and the River City 6 dance band.

Contact: MHS band director Jeff Heid at  jdheid@muscatine.k12.ia.us ,or 563-263-6141  ext. 1150.