Source: DuneNews
For over 50 years, the Big Band Bash has been a huge event for the town of Chesterton.
Every year, there’s dancing, raffles, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and musical talent being
highlighted. Since the beginning of this wonderful event put on by the Chesterton Music
Department; it’s gotten better and better. This year, the event is hosted by Mr. Flodder, who is
In his fourth year doing this. He is the band teacher for Chesterton High School as well as one of
the Trojan Guard instructors.
The event is on Friday, January 30th, and Saturday, January 31st, with the event starting
at 7:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, but on Saturday, optional swing lessons will be offered at
6:30 p.m. There is reserved seating both Friday and Saturday, but Friday will offer more
reserved seating and no general admission. Also on Friday, there will be hors d’oeuvres for
those with reserved seating from tickets bought online for $20. While for Saturday you still can
reserve a table, which holds up to six, there is also general admission at $20 a ticket and $15
for CHS students.
Mr. Flodder mentions that this is “A really wonderful staple of live music here in
Chesterton.. We want to give kids as many authentic performance experiences as possible, if
they are interested in pursuing even an amateur side of that.”
For some students in the Big Band Bash, this will be their first time performing outside of
a school concert, a new setting for them. This allows students the chance to experiment and get
a taste of what playing live music for an audience to enjoy in a fancier setting is like.
The music played is older music, mainly the ‘30s up to the ‘70s. “We play music almost
entirely from the big band era,” Mr. Flodder adds.
But why should you go? It’s a unique and one-of-a-kind night. Mr. Flodder’s favorite
aspect of helping put this together is, “It’s not just another school dance, there’s no DJ, there’s
nothing like that. So what I really like about directing this event is all the people whocome to it
want to be there for what they know it is, and you just see a lot of happy faces enjoying a unique
and different social experience.”
But another wonderful aspect of the Big Band Bash is that it is “A fundraiser for the jazz
program.” For the “All That Jazz” Program on May 9th, 2026. This year will be the 53rd year that
Chesterton has had it. “All That Jazz” features professional bands/musicians from Chicago and
other areas of America. Mr. Flodder notes that, “fundraising from Big Band Bash helps offset the
cost of bringing in those professional musicians.” So on Friday, bring some money for the
raffles!!!
When you come to the event, have some fun. For how to dress, Mr. Flodder says, “It’s a
dress event-not super formal- but dress up! It’s a special, unique thing that only happens once
a year here in Chesterton. A lot of people will dress in period clothes- dress in the style of the
30s, 40s, and 50s, and some people just wear nice clothes, and that’s absolutely fine as well.”
The students who play are from Chesterton’s, “entire jazz band program, so we have our
advanced jazz class that meets during the day here at Chesterton, our jazz ensemble, they’re
going to be playing most of the concert. Then also, we feature our extracurricular jazz group,
which only meets after school; they’re going to be playing on part of the concert. We also
feature some of our singers from the choral department as well.”
One of the musicians is Josh Nicholes, a senior who’s excited for this year’s Big Band
Bash, “I love everything about jazz. I started playing when I was in sixth grade. I just have done
nothing but fall more in love with band every single year..” He plays in the school’s maroon
jazz, and is also involved in Trojan Guard, as he is a first chair tenor saxophone. He also says he’s
“excited for his solo.”
This year, if there’s anything you should plan for as your resolution, it’s to listen to more
live music! So why not start this year off by attending the Big Band Bash, for one or both nights!!
Tickets are linked below. See you there!
Reserved Seating: https://cur8.com/15971/project/136093
General Admission: https://cur8.com/15971/project/136094
