Jazz filled Mount Carmel’s band room this year as students came together to form a brand-new jazz band, bringing more sound to MC.

This is MC’s first year having the jazz band, and it is allowing students to perform American style of music, play with peers, and perform at school events under the direction of jazz band teacher Mr. KC Perlberg.

The jazz band has fourteen students and focuses on developing musical fundamentals while preparing for performances.

“A jazz band is a group of musicians that primarily plays American popular music, which is really the first originally American art form,” Mr. Perlberg said. “From the blues and jazz come all of the other popular music that we like.”

The jazz band started this school year with support from Mount Carmel’s administration. Mr. Perlberg said the program was made possible because the administration wanted more music education.

“I would say that our principal, Mr. Tabernacki, and our president, Mr. Conroy, are the ones who made it possible,” he said. “They were the ones that called me up and said this should be a priority for our school.”

Mr. Perlberg also explained that the jazz band allowed students to engage with music they recognized and enjoyed, rather than focusing only on traditional overtures or classical introductory pieces written long ago.

“We’re having just as much, if not more fun, learning how to play Mr. Blue Sky [by Electric Light Orchestra] in class than we are learning how to play some overture written decades and decades ago,” he said.

Students think it is a relaxing environment, but it still has its challenges. For sophomore trombone player James Weber, the jazz band is more than just rehearsals.

“Making music and hanging out with friends,” Weber said when describing what he enjoyed most about the jazz band.

Senior bass player Bryce Mason shared that the jazz band helped him connect with others and stay active musically. 

“I originally started playing jazz band in 2021, because I needed something to do,” he said. “My mom figured it’d be good for me to do something where I’m automatically connecting with other people.”

Junior piano player Tayib Hussian thought the jazz band helped him become more confident as a musician and gave him a space to explore music in a less pressured environment.

“I really liked playing the piano,” he said. “Back when I was younger, I always wanted to play an instrument in the piano room and play out some chords, and ever since I began, I wanted to do some more.”

The group played at its first Mass on Monday, December 8, 2025, in the main gym, and they plan on playing on January 13, 2026, during a basketball game against St. Rita. These experiences help build confidence and pride among the students.

Looking ahead, the jazz band plans to perform at school events, support the drama program for the spring play, and collaborate with other schools for joint concerts. 

The focus of the program remained on long-term growth rather than size. Developing strong fundamentals is seen as the most important goal.

“Priority one is giving the students good fundamental skills so they can continue to be musicians after they leave Mount Carmel,” Mr. Perlberg said. 

Reflecting on the band’s first year, Mr. Perlberg expressed excitement about its future and the students involved.

“They’re fun kids,” he said. “I’m having a blast with them.”