Rivers awarded “Best Big Band” Honors at National Jazz Competition in NYC

2/17/2010
This past weekend the Rivers Big Band was honored with the Best Big Band award at the nationally-recognized Charles Mingus Competition at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in New York. The Big Band and Select I Jazz Combo were each among the three finalists in their respective categories at the competition, which is open to schools all over the country and took place as part of a three-day “Mingus Summit” at MSM February 13 to 15.

“It was absolutely thrilling for us to be there with all these up-and-coming jazz musicians,” says jazz director Philippe Crettien. “We were so proud and humbled to receive the award from none other than Sue Mingus [the widow of jazz legend Charles Mingus].”

In addition to the group accomplishments, Tom Chalmers ’10, Henry Fraser ’10, and Ross Hoyt ’10 all earned Outstanding Soloist honors for their individual playing. Prizes were also awarded for Outstanding Big Band Section and Outstanding Combo Arrangement.

"I have to say that I am most proud of the fact that these students are at the level in their musical development where it's not just about playing the right notes," says Crettien. "They're truly making artistic statements now."