Our advanced jazz groups just returned from the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival with top prizes. This Festival hosts the country's top jazz musicians who audition for a spot to compete at the Festival. The competition is tough! There were 48 Big Band audition submissions from 23 states, and the Festival accepted only 12 bands to compete. The vocal groups were just as competitive, including top LA performing arts schools.
Vocal Group Awards: Folsom High School Jazz Choir "I" took 1st place, with an Outstanding Soloist award going to senior student Nina Hadzi-Antich. Some of our students also got to participate in a clinic where they sang on stage, one-on-one, with Grammy-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves.
Big Band Awards: Folsom High School Jazz Band "I" took 3rd place in a very close competition.
As winners, both the Jazz Choir and Jazz Band will get to play at the professional Monterey Jazz Festival, headlining Harry Connick Jr., in September.
Middle School Awards: (Finalists are not placed, just given section awards) Out of four possible Outstanding Section awards, Sutter Middle School took two, for the Saxophone and Trumpet sections.
An Outstanding Soloist award also went to Sammy Fulkerson, Folsom Middle School, for trumpet. A fun time was had by all. Congratulations to these very worthy winners!
Big Band Awards: Folsom High School Jazz Band "I" took 3rd place in a very close competition.
As winners, both the Jazz Choir and Jazz Band will get to play at the professional Monterey Jazz Festival, headlining Harry Connick Jr., in September.
Middle School Awards: (Finalists are not placed, just given section awards) Out of four possible Outstanding Section awards, Sutter Middle School took two, for the Saxophone and Trumpet sections.
An Outstanding Soloist award also went to Sammy Fulkerson, Folsom Middle School, for trumpet. A fun time was had by all. Congratulations to these very worthy winners!
