The young winners and runner-ups of an international jazz festival are now able to hold their awards in their hands.
In an e-mail, the band director of the Wellington Secondary Jazz Academy Carmella Luvisotto said her students have now received their trophies from the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival that took place earlier this spring.
Wellington Secondary School's jazz musicians impressed the judges at the long-running competition that attracts approximately 2,000 students from across North America, noted a release. As noted on the festival's website, the University of Idaho's jazz festival is one of the largest and oldest educational jazz festivals in the world, and hosts nearly 100 workshops, clinics and special exhibits.
According to the release, the Nanaimo winners received a collection of leading awards, including Grade 12 vocalist Lauren Racz who was named the vocal solos winner for Div. 3, and Grade 12 pianist Ava Rihani and Grade 8 trombonist Sophie Luvisotto Baird as the instrumental soloist winners for Div. 3.
The school's senior jazz combo also secured the winning place as the instrumental combo winners Div. 3, and the Grade 9-10 jazz band also won the instrumental large ensembles Div. 3.
Runner-ups included Grade 11 drummer Garrett Tomkins and Grade 10 saxophonist Cameron Catton-Cox for the instrumental soloist Div. 3; Grade 8-9 trombone quintet and Grade 10-11 jazz combo for the instrumental combo Div. 3; and the senior jazz band and Grade 9 jazz band for instrumental large ensembles Div. 3.
"Several soloists from various bands were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to their individuals ensembles," noted the release.
