Best in the State!
Jazz musicians Michael Manasseh ’19 and Joe Nedder ’18 auditioned last week for All State Festival, sponsored by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and were accepted into the festival to be held on March 11 at Symphony Hall. Manasseh was the only percussionist chosen, making him the “state drummer,” while Nedder was one of four trombonists chosen for the Jazz Band.
Manasseh and Nedder are members of the Rivers Big Band and the Select 1 Combo, both of which are preparing to compete on February 11 at the Berklee College of Music's National High School Competition, featuring more than 200 ensembles from around the country.
Earlier in the month six Rivers students kicked off the new year by performing in the Senior District Music Festival, also sponsored by MMEA and held at Boston Latin School. They were Lindy Billhardt ’19, string bass, orchestra; Ella Caggiano ’19, chorus; Alex Clay ’18, clarinet, band; Manasseh, drum set, jazz band; Nedder, trombone, jazz band; and Simonida Spasojevic ’19, flute, band.
The Rivers Select 1 Combo is looking ahead to performing at Mechanics Hall on April 3 as the featured combo at an Introduction to Jazz program for Worcester Public School students. Organized by Rich Falco, Director of Jazz Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the 15-year-old program introduces elementary and middle school students to the basic elements of jazz. The Select 1 Combo will perform two 30-minute concerts before thousands of school children, in grades 3 through 5 and grades 6 through 8.
The additional members of the Select 1 Combo are Alex Gomez ’17, alto saxophone; Uli Schwendener ’17, piano; and Joel Manasseh ’20, bass.
“This is such great news,” said Jazz Band Director Philippe Crettien, “to have Michael considered to be best in the state, and Joe one of the four best!”
© 2021 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.