The gymnasium at Mount Vernon High School pulsed with rhythm and soulful stillness on March 14 as families filled every seat for the school’s biggest annual event, Java Jazz. Under glowing lights and a canopy of sound, jazz bands and acapella groups lit up the night with everything from toe-tapping swing numbers to soft, heartfelt melodies that held the room in stillness.

Graduating senior and vocalist Penelope Vig said that the magic of Java Jazz comes from the bond among the musicians.

“You can tell we’re just having so much fun up there,” Vig said.

Junior Madie Boren, a vocalist, said that the event is consistently a highlight of her school year.

“This has probably been the best experience out of all the music things I do,” Boren said. “I love what we do, and all the effort and the work that goes into this.”

Caitlin Branaman, a middle-school choir and orchestra teacher in the district, worked with one of the student groups called Uptown Jazz. “They are awesome. They are seriously so fun to work with,” Branaman said. “The word that comes to mind is laughter, because they just got along really well. We always had a lot of fun as we made music together.”

Thad Wilkins, the school’s vocal music director of 13 years, said he has been involved in organizing this event for the past 11 years.

“It has never seemed like work,” Wilkins said. “The more time I can spend with them, the better.”

Wilkins said the students’ participation in the Kirkwood Jazz Festival and jazz championship were highlights of the academic year, but nothing beats the excitement around Java Jazz.

“They all love it,” Wilkins said. “This is the favorite thing.”