Mount Si High School’s Jazz Band I will give a free concert for the community, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Jazz Clubs NW, 112 W. 2nd St North Bend (previously Piccola Cellars). The concert is a preview of the band’s upcoming performance at 71st Annual Midwest Conference in Chicago in December.

In April, the band was notified of its selection as one of only three high school jazz ensembles in the world to be invited as a featured performer.

“The maturity and energy these kids are playing at is inspiring, I would encourage anyone who enjoys live music to get out to hear the band play,” said band director Matthew Wenman. “They have invested tons of extra hours into preparing for this performance, including extra time throughout the summer.”

What began in 1946 as 120 music directors meeting for six hours in a Chicago YMCA gym has now become the annual four-day music band and orchestra conference known as The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference. For over 70 years, musicians, educators and people passionate about music education of all skill levels have gathered in Chicago for the largest music conference of its kind with more than 17,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 30 countries.