Thunderbird High School

In late March and again late May 2004 LMP was fortunate to be able to record the award winning Thunderbird High School Jazz Band directed by Bud Hilditch.   Bud is one of Arizona's premiere music educators and a dedicated teacher.   The recording session showed his band's commitment to excellence.  

While recording in Phoenix, Dave Schmidt , Director of Bands at Glendale Community College hosted Producer Jim Linahon and the THS band in the GCC recording studio. Dave is not only a very fine studio engineer but also a first class professional saxophonist. Thanks for a truly great job Dave!

Also, a ver y big thanks to artist, educator and musical mentor Warren Hatfield for his enormous assistance, commitment and musical insights in the recording of the THS CD over the two year period.   A veteran saxophonist, Warren expertly taught the THS sax sections and as you will quickly hear on this CD - these saxophone sections were superb.

THS Director of Bands Bud Hilditch and crew had a tremendous year in the 2003/4 school year with their selection to be a featured band at the International Association of Jazz Educators convention in New York City. The 2004 portion of the CD was recorded featuring several of the selections performed by the band at the IAJE convention.   The title of the CD "At the Core..." reflects the performance in the "Apple" - in addition to its obvious reference to the core of mainstream jazz performed on the CD.

The 2002/3 portion of the CD featured the THS Jazz Band from the previous year's performance at the IAJE Western Region program in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both year's bands sound superb and the final mix done at LMP Studios produced a first class musical product that sounds professional and is a musical delight to listen to.

Congratulations to all the students, to Bud and to the dedicated parents for a superb job and all your hard work and positive attitudes.   It comes across in your music and you should all be proud of this outstanding CD you have created!