MUSIC NOTES: Monterey Jazz Festival

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Monterey Jazz Festival

Folsom came home recently with several awards from the Monterey Jazz Festival. Participation in the Festival is by invitation-only, which makes it an honor to attend and compete against the best high schools in the country. Our Jazz Choir I won a close 2nd place (by less than 1 point from the 1st place winner!) and will be back in the Fall to perform at the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival for professional musicians. Our Jazz Band I played with excellence and placed well against several private musical schools. Kudos go out to Tanner Robinson who won an Outstanding Soloist vocal award!

In the middle school division, the groups are awarded per section. Folsom Middle School won 1st in Saxophone and Trumpet sections. Jedd Wonohadidjojo, Sutter Middle School, won an Outstanding Soloist award for guitar, and Victor Wei, Folsom Middle School, won Outstanding Soloist for saxophone. Congratulations to all of our students!

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!