The excitement of graduation was in the air at Linderman Elementary School, whose fourth-grade students got to visit Polson Middle School May 19.

But before the group traveled over to their new academic home, they got a chance to listen to one of the many options they will have available to them as middle school students.

Members of the Polson Middle School Jazz Band played several popular songs including “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows from the movie Shrek 2 during an early morning concert.

Jazz band members are seventh and eighth-grade students, half of whom will graduate to high school this year.

Selections, played by talented musical middle schoolers showcased the variety of instruments and sounds that Jazz Band students worked with.

PMS Band Director, Nicholas Ross was animated and engaging in his talk to students about what jazz music represented. 

His narrative engaged several students.

Ross’ goal is to spark the interest of tomorrow’s musicians.

Though next year’s fifth-grade students cannot go directly into the Jazz Band, which is only open to seventh and eighth graders, they can join a band class that will help them build the skills they need to engage in the Jazz Band class during their final two years of middle school.

After the concert, fourth graders traveled to the middle school for a preview tour of some of the things in store for their next school year.

Ross and members of the PMS Jazz Band gave two additional performances: One at lunchtime for a community club’s awards ceremony and then in the afternoon at St. Joseph Assisted Living Center in Polson.