MUSIC NOTES: 2009/2010 Top Folsom High Jazz Groups Perform at Monterey Jazz Festival

Sunday, October 3, 2010

2009/2010 Top Folsom High Jazz Groups Perform at Monterey Jazz Festival

Our 2009/2010 advanced jazz band and jazz choir just returned from performing (September 19, 2010) at the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, headlining Harry Connick Jr. The groups won the right to perform at the Festival after winning top awards at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival last April, a student competition sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival.

The Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival hosts the country's top high school jazz musicians each year who audition for a spot to compete at the professional Festival. The competition is tough! There were 48 Big Band audition submissions from 23 states, and the Next Generation Jazz Festival accepted only 12 bands. The vocal groups were just as competitive. Following their performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival, some jazz students had the opportunity to spend time backstage with Harry Connick Jr.'s trumpet player. Congratulations to all!

Alumni Corner

Kelsey Iverson is a 2006 Folsom High music graduate who played trombone in Jazz Band I and sang with the Jazz Choir. Kelsey went on to play the trombone with the Sacramento State University Jazz Band A, the Sac State Orchestra, and several chamber groups. She graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Trombone Performance.

Kelsey is currently spending 3 months living in Prague and traveling throughout Europe. Kelsey said, "I am reminded of the Folsom Jazz Eurotrips in 2002 and 2006 almost every day here!" When she returns to the U.S., she plans to attend grad school, possibly at CU Boulder in Colorado. But that decision won't be made until she hears back from all of her applications. We wish you much good luck, Kelsey, from your Folsom High music supporters!

If you are in contact with former music students or are the parent of an alumnus, please submit an update to publicity@folsommusic.org and we'll post the news here. Photos are welcome too!