HAMPDEN — The Hampden Academy Jazz Ensemble participated in the Maine State High School Instrumental Jazz Festival in South Portland on March 14. Ensemble members were on a quest to repeat last year’s State Championship in Division 2, and they succeeded in taking the championship again.
The HA ensemble qualified for the State Music Festival by participating in the District V Jazz Festival held on Feb. 12 at Ridgeview Community School in Dexter. They received a score of 98 out of 100. Their goal for the State Fest was a perfect score.
At the State Festival, the ensemble received an average score of 94 out of 95 from three judges for its performance of the selections which included “Swingin’ for the Fences” by Gordon Goodwin, “Gentle Rain” by Kris Berg and ‘Better Get Hit in Your Soul’ by Charles Mingus. Soloists included Eiji Frey on trombone, Dan Rice on piano, Bailey Giles on tenor saxophone, Jake Michaud on drums, Noah Gardner on trumpet, Josh Redmond on trombone, Reba Sands on flute and Nate Haiden on bass. Each soloist received a superior rating for his or her solo. In addition Bailey Giles and Jake Michaud were two of the five soloists from Division 2 to receive an Outstanding Musicianship Award.
After its performance, the ensemble proceeded to a sight reading room where they performed a short composition they had never played before. They scored 5 out of 5 giving them a total score of 99 out of 100.
The band qualified for the Night Finals concert.
RSU 22 kindergarten through grade-eight students have been invited to a performance which will occur in the next several weeks at the Hampden Academy Performing Arts Center.
Jazz Ensemble students will talk with the students about the dedication it takes to achieve excellence in music.
The Hampden Academy Jazz Ensemble also will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, with award winning baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.