Today’s forecast is partly sunny skies with a high near 82, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service said the region could see chances of showers and thunderstorms through late Thursday as there is an unsettled weather pattern in the region.
Severe weather chances are low, but cannot rule out a stronger storm developing, according to the weather service.
Any stronger storms that develop might include hail, gusty winds, moderate to locally heavy rainfall and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, the weather service said.
Tonight’s forecast is mostly cloudy with a low of about 66, the weather service said.
Thursday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 80. Thursday night, the low will be around 64, the weather service said.
Friday’s forecast will be mostly sunny with a high near 80, according to the weather service.
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s golf team is tied for first heading into Wednesday’s final round of the Central Missouri College Fall Eagle Open.
Led by Marc McClain’s one-under par 70, the Blue Devils share the halfway lead with William Penn University in the tourney played at Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville, Mo.
A sophomore from Bonner Springs, McClain shares the lead for medalist honors with Jacob Williams of Central Missouri.
The Blue Devils’ Jeremy Dunham is just a stroke back tied for third at 71 while Colton Allen is tied for 11th at 76 and Zach Spencer shares 14th at 77. Two other Blue Devils are tied for 22nd, Evan Shartzer and Matt Thyne, both at 79, with Dalton Ayres 28th at 80.
KCKCC and William Penn both are 10 over par at 294 followed by Central Missouri, 299; Evangel, 309; Baker, 310; Crowley Ridge, 348; and Central Methodist’s B team, 354.
Deandre Clark still cannot believe his luck after being picked to attend the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Camp this summer.
“They were just phenomenal,” said the Kansas City Kansas Community College sophomore of the instructors at the camp. “They helped us throughout the week, giving us some professional flair and helping us with singing and our stage presence.”
Not only is the UNC Jazz Camp designed to be intensive and challenging, but it also serves as a way to inspire the students who attend. Led by faculty and special guests, campers have the opportunity to attend master classes, jazz theory and listening classes, faculty concerts and a special performance by the Colorado Jazz Orchestra.
“Deandre is a very talented vocalist with a great vocal range (can sing alto to baritone parts),” said John Stafford, assistant professor of choral music at KCKCC. “It was important for him to have this opportunity, so he could see the options that are available to him after KCKCC.”
A member of KCKCC’s The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Clark first learned of the UNC Camp when KCKCC attended the Vertical Voices Jazz Festival in Rochelle, Ill., earlier this year. Of the vocalists at the festival, judges selected two to give a scholarship to attend the camp. One of the students was from Elmhurst College in Chicago, Ill., and the other was Clark. KCKCC’s Music Club also sponsored a portion of the trip.
“I was surprised,” Clark said on learning he received a scholarship. “I was shocked and definitely amazed, especially since that day, I had lost my voice.”
Music is nothing new to the Wyandotte County native. A graduate of Washington High School, Clark said he remembers sitting in the back of his mother’s car when he was younger, listening to her sing. In addition to being a member of The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, he studies classical voice with Scott Wichael, jazz voice with Mike Ning and is president of the Chamber Choir.
“I would listen to her and knew I wanted to be a singer,” Clark said. “Singing and music is a way to channel my inner thoughts. It is a way I can express my feelings.”
But while music has always been a part of his life, jazz music was a bit of unknown.
“It wasn’t until I got here that I was really introduced to the cool sounds of contemporary jazz,” he said. “I learned a lot when I came here. I didn’t know how to read music or sight-read, however, I am getting better. I have learned how to work within a group, instead of just singing solo and have had the opportunity to meet so many new people.”
Because Clark will be graduating from KCKCC next spring, he has been considering various four-year universities to transfer to in order to complete his bachelor’s degree. However, the University of Northern Colorado had not been on his radar – that is until he attended the UNC Jazz Camp. He said he now plans to study Vocal Jazz Studies at UNC in fall 2016 with Kerry Marsh, a nationally known vocal jazz artist/instructor.
“It is definitely one of my top choices,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to teach. I want to come back to a place like Washington High School and start a jazz ensemble program.”
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
