Big Band, Select 1 Combo Have Strong Showings at Berklee Festival
The Rivers Big Band and Select 1 Combo spent last weekend at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival where they placed third and second, respectively, in the small school category.
The Rivers Big Band and Select 1 Combo spent last weekend at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival where they placed third and second, respectively, in the small school category. The festival is the largest of its kind in the country, bringing more than 3,000 students from over 200 ensembles nationwide to Berklee College of Music for two days of competition.
The Rivers Big Band finished just behind Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy (N.J.) while the Combo finished behind Morgan Village and Idyllwild Arts Academy (Calif.).
“These results speak volumes about the talent of the Rivers musicians and the excellence of our jazz program,” said Jazz Band Director Philippe Crettien. “It was so rewarding for both the Select 1 Combo and the Big Band to be recognized as outstanding ensembles in this very competitive national competition.”
Receiving individual accolades were Richard Oates ’14 and John Nydam ’15. Richard was recognized for his part in both the Big Band and Select Combo with an “Outstanding Musicianship” award for both. John was recognized with the competition’s top award, the “Superior Musicianship” award.
The Select Combo will be on the road for another competition this coming weekend, this time at the Mingus High School Jazz Band Competition at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
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