The Valencia High School Jazz program will host a public concert to benefit the families of the victims of Saugus High School at Vincenzo’s restaurant in Newhall on Wednesday, November 20 starting at 6 p.m.

The concert will feature the VHS Concert Jazz Band, Combo and soloists from the Choir.

The evening will include classic tunes, contemporary favorites and even some holiday songs.

All Hart District jazz musicians are invited to sit in.

Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Donations will go to the families of the victims.

The evening will provide an opportunity to see and hear talented students and enjoy some excellent music from Valencia High School’s nationally recognized music program while supporting the Saugus High shooting victims and their families.

The Valencia Concert Jazz Band and Jazz Combo have consistently placed highly in local, regional and state competitions. This 18-piece group will be joined by a few special guest singers from the Valencia High School Jazz Choir, a program Downbeat Magazine called the nation’s best Vocal Jazz Program in 2017, and which won the Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival in 2018.

The Band and Combo are directed by Emilio Terranova, a jazz bassist who has performed in clubs across Los Angeles, and in festivals and venues across the world. He loves the collaboration between the jazz bands and the jazz choir and is always excited about what music can teach his students.

“Through music, and jazz especially, students are challenged to overcome musical hurdles,” Terranova said. “It takes collaboration, hard work, and determination. But when they’re playing something beautiful — something that they may even have written or improvised — the pride and self-confidence they develop is amazing to see.”

All the jazz programs at Valencia are dedicated to providing a safe and encouraging environment for musicians to build their musical skills. Although the achievements they’ve won in competition are a result of their hard work, their goal has never been to win awards, but to entertain.

During the Monterey festival, for example, the choir was thrilled to receive the only standing ovation of the day, and only learned later that they’d actually won the competition.

“That’s what we go for as a group,” said Christine Tavares-Mocha, choir director. “I tell the students all the time: it doesn’t matter how you score; what matters is what the audience thought. You need to learn how to put on a good show if you want to be a performer.”

Bringing the Jazz Choir and the Jazz Band together promises to create beautiful memories and beautiful music. “We’re really excited to see what the two groups can create together,” Terranova and Tavares-Mocha said. “And we hope to see you at Vincenzo’s!”

Vincenzo’s is located at 24504 1/2 Lyons Avenue, Newhall 91321.

For more info, email vikingsband@gmail.com. Visit the Choirs’ and Jazz Band’s websites.