Here they are… Your Beloit Memorial Jazz Band

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 11:35 pm GMT +6 by RickM
Filed under Neighborhood Discussion

The BMHS Jazz Band was selected as a finalist for the 14th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival held at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Ok, ok, ok… let me be the first to say there should be a freakin’ parade about this. What this band has accomplished under the direction of Chris Behrens is amazing. They’re a great bunch of talented and hard working student musicians who have gained NATIONAL recognition. This isn’t like making regionals. It’s not like making state. This is a Lincoln Center national competition and they made the cut of only fifteen schools from across the friggin’ country. This is fantastic. Can I get an Amen!

…the rich 14-year history of this unique music education program, which has reached more than 275,000 students in more than 4,500 high schools across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and American schools abroad. ~Wynton Marsalis blog

Each year Jazz at Lincoln Center transcribes, publishes, and distributes Duke Ellington Orchestra charts along with additional educational materials to high school bands in the U.S. and Canada and American schools abroad. These charts are original transcriptions of recordings by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, not simplified arrangements. ~Jazz at Lincoln Center Website

Italics mine.

They’re going to have an amazing, life-time opportunity to get to work with some of the elite professionals in the industry. They’ll be introduced to a peer group of likewise highly motivated student musicians which will only serve to inspire them further. Success breeds success and I wish them all the best. If you’ve school age children I encourage you to plug them into the Beloit music program.

The video above is of their New Orleans concert just completed. A second one here.

Thanks Chris for all your hard work with these students. Thanks for capturing the video so we could all enjoy.

Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Program Description
Wynton Marsalis – Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
BMHS Band’s YouTube Channel – subscribe, rate them, favorite them…
A couple more videos from their New Orleans trip.

Beloit Memorial High School Jazz I – Roster

Jessica Gile – Alto Saxophone I
Christian Garcia – Alto Saxophone II
Lizzie Anderson – Tenor Saxophone I / Clarinet
Josh Shope – Tenor Saxophone II
Chris Day – Baritone Saxophone
Dan Schiessl – Trumpet
Rob Goodwin – Trumpet
Kevin LeBaron – Trumpet
Melissa Gile – Trumpet
Matt Schiessl – Trumpet
Jeff Patterson – Trombone
Cody Schober – Trombone
Aaron Mendelsohn – Trombone
Connor Hunt – Trombone
Pierre Charles – Piano
Crystal Rebone – Bass
Jake Boutelle – Drums
Kolton Hatch – Guitar

And, get this. Average GPA: 3.7 They’re exceptional students as well.

These kids are going to need our support to get them to New York. There will certainly be benefits and fundraisers to allow us to enjoy their wonderful music and of course help them finance their trip. I look forward to the fundraiser concerts. Hope to see you there.

BTW, share this with your friends.