The high school Jazz Ensemble hit all the right notes at this year’s Fonda-Fultonville Jazz Festival, earning top honors and impressing both judges and audiences.
The regional festival, held on February 13, included performances from 22 high school jazz ensembles from across the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. F-M students achieved perfect scores from all judges – a rare and impressive feat.
Under the direction of John Jeanneret, the ensemble has been diligently rehearsing since September. The group includes students from all high school grade levels. Three students also received individual awards for outstanding performance: trombonist Charles Chisholm, bassist Max Clark, and alto saxophonist Annika Scuderi.
Awards and Honors:
- Gold Award for Jazz Ensemble performance
- Best Overall Saxophone Section
- Best Overall Rhythm Section
- Best Festival Soloist Award: Trombonist Charles Chisholm
Three Jazz Ensemble members, Charlie Chisholm, Max Clark, and Annika Scuderi, were also selected as part of the overall High School All-Star Band for the festival.
Festival judges, who were professional jazz musicians and educators, evaluated ensembles based on style, technique, interpretation, musicality, and improvisation.
“The level of skill and musical maturity these students are showing is well beyond what’s typical for their age,” praised one of the festival judges. “They’re tackling advanced charts and improvisation techniques often taught at the collegiate level.”
If you’d like to see the jazz ensemble perform, their next show is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 1 at Wellwood Middle School. The group will be sharing the stage with the high school jazz band and swing, and the high school vocal jazz ensemble.