Every four years, the Buena Vista University jazz band travels to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a week to perform. This year marks the latest trip in the cycle, and jazz band students under the direction of Professor of Music Dr. David Klee, who directs the jazz band, will spend their Spring Break playing jazz in the tropical climate.

Klee and students will travel to Hawaii March 17 – 23. The band’s first performance will be at the Royal Grove Royal Hawaiian Center on March 19. Following that performance, they play at the Shriner Hospital for Children. Their final performance will be at Ala Moana Mall.  After performances finish, everyone on the trip has free time to explore Hawaii.

In 2001, Assistant Professor of Music and Concert Band Director Jerry Bertrand organized the first Hawaii trip for then jazz band students, concert band students and professional musicians. Two years later, when Klee was hired and began to conduct the jazz band, Bertrand put him in charge of the trip. Klee now prepares those who decide to travel to Hawaii for the tour.

“I am very privileged and I know it,” said Klee.

Klee says he’s honored to conduct every jazz band that goes, and notes that when those in Hawaii realize the BVU band comes all the way from Iowa, they are surprised. Klee sees the trip as an opportunity not only for the jazz students, but also for BVU to showcase its talents and education in a new place.

“We try to do it every four years. That way every jazz (band) graduate class would be able to go,” said Klee.

The trip is optional for jazz band students. Concert band students and professional musicians, who are often retired band conductors, are also invited. According to Bertrand, band students who commit to the trip must attend each jazz band performance.

For many students on the trip, they are metaphorically and literally getting their feet wet for the first time, both in the ocean and on a band tour. They experience a new world, from performing for larger audiences to standing on the sandy beaches of Honolulu, according to Klee.

“I’m excited,” said junior concert band student Lena Gripp, who is heading to Hawaii this year. . “I’m especially excited to get tan.”

While Gripp is looking forward to the warm weather and the opportunity to travel, she is also excited about the performance experience she and her fellow band members will get.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for all the students who get to go play because it something they can say they did,” Gripp said. “We are probably lucky we are able to go and do that.”

Photo courtesy Dr. David Klee