Lehde’s Night performs together in the Performing Arts Center. Their performances showcased the students’ musicianship, especially through their live improvisation. “It’s really fun just showing up and playing and making people happy,” Calvino Hammerman (11) said.

Q: What makes Lehde’s Night different from other ensembles, and how would you describe its vibe?
A: Lehde’s Night is completely student-led, which makes it unique from other ensembles where there’s a professional. This is all based on what every student wants to play, which makes it a really relaxed vibe — very unorganized, but very fun and loose.

Q: What instrument do you play, and what inspired you to choose it?
A: My main instrument is the clarinet. I picked it because it was the only one I could get sound out of in fourth grade, but I kept playing because I loved the sound and heard great clarinetists during concerts.

Q: Walk me through a typical rehearsal. What’s the energy like?
A: It’s really loose. We set up, talk, play tunes we all know—blues, standards. If someone wants to learn a tune, they teach it to the group, and then we run through it.

Q: What’s the most challenging piece you’ve had to learn?
A: It’s all improvising. So learning the melody is all fine, but then thinking of things to do during your improvisation — that’s always difficult.

Q: Is there a moment in a performance where you feel the ensemble click?
A: Definitely. There’s a difference between playing with the beat and really feeling the beat together. And when it works, it’s really fun.

Q: How does the group handle mistakes?
A: We take mistakes in stride. You know, we just keep going. We have a chuckle, but it’s not a big deal.

Q: What’s something the audience doesn’t usually notice that you wish they did?
A: How organic everything is. Everything we do is on the spot. We don’t plan anything; we don’t even plan what songs we’re going to play before the performance.

Q: How has Lehde’s Night shaped your relationship with music?
A: It showed me the magic of playing live. We rehearse way less than we perform, so it’s fun just showing up, playing, and making people happy.

Q: Describe Lehde’s Night in one word and why.
A: Alive. People always say jazz is a dying art and outdated. But as high schoolers still playing it, we’re keeping the music alive. And playing with an audience is very lively and captivating.