SURREY - No competition, no rivalry - just music made by some talented and enthusiastic students from a trio of South Surrey high schools.

Essentially, this is South End Summit, a concert that features senior jazz bands from Elgin Park, Semiahmoo and Earl Marriott, where the second annual event is staged this Saturday night (Jan. 14).

For the musical students involved, it's a chance to bond and hear one another perform.

For the audience, the event is a rare chance to hear the bands in a public place.

"A lot of people in the community, especially those who may have attended one of these three schools, would be thrilled to hear what these kids can do on their instruments," said teacher Dave Fullerton, who leads the Grade 12 jazz band at Semiahmoo.

"There is no rivalry," Fullerton stressed. "I mean, all the instructors know each other and a lot of the kids do, too, so it's a celebration of music being made in the community. It's not competitive at all."

Money from tickets sold for the concert will be shared by the three schools and host organization Semiahmoo Arts. Tickets prices range from $15 to $20; they're available at the door and also at Tapestry Music, 1335 Johnston Rd., White Rock.

"It's not like sitting through your kid's school Christmas concert," said Barbara Cooper, president of Semiahmoo Arts, noting the level of young talent at play. "These kids are chosen to be in the these bands. They're amazingly talented."

Cooper noted the success of last year's inaugural South End Summit, which featured Dal Richards as emcee at a sold-out Coast Capital Playhouse - a smaller venue than this year's, the 280-seat Wheelhouse Theatre at Earl Marriott.

"It was just such a good feeling in the (concert venue) last year, just one great band after the other," Cooper recalled.

Alex Browne, a local newspaper reporter and leader of big bands, is the event emcee this time around.

The guest artist at this year's Summit is Vancouver-based trumpeter Malcolm Aiken.

"Inviting a professional is something we want to do every year at this event, to give the students a closer look at someone who plays music for a living," said Wendy Bollard, an organizer and Semiahmoo Arts board member.

Also in the works is a concert-kickoff performance by a jazz combo consisting of students from each of the three schools, with Aiken in the mix.

Later on stage, the jazz bands will perform everything from "Georgia on My Mind" to a pair of Radiohead songs.

For more event details, visit semiahmooarts.com or call 604-536-8333.

tzillich@thenownewspaper.com