Honors Big Band Takes First Place at Berklee Competition
Rivers’ Honors Big Band and Select 1 Combo had an amazing experience at the 2018 Berklee High School Competition on Saturday, February 10. The Big Band won First Place – a first for Rivers, and the Select Combo won Fourth Place, in a competition that featured ensembles from more than 250 high schools across the nation, including performing arts schools. Michael Manasseh ’19 and Joe Nedder ’18 also won individual awards.
“Rivers has never won the Berklee competition,” said Director Philippe Crettien. “We got to perform on the main stage for the Winners’ Award Concert after the award ceremony. Joe Nedder got the Judges’ Award for the Big Band, and Michael Manasseh received the Outstanding Musicianship Award. Michael also received the Judges’ Award for the Combo performance. Tonight we are on top and it feels great.”
Paul Pitts, president of the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Directors sent his congratulations to Director Crettien.
“Congratulations to you on Berklee. 289 is an awesome score, the highest score of the day! You never know what will happen at Berklee.”
Click here for a gallery of audio recordings of the jazz pieces the Big Band performed at Berklee , which they submitted for the upcoming Ellington Jazz competition this spring. Songs include Ellington’s Blue Minor, NB Blues, and Raincheck.
© 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.