Spencerport High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble with director Alan Jones. Provided photoOn March 10, the Spencerport High School Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz travelled to Boston for the Berklee Jazz Festival.
Each ensemble performed three pieces before members of the Berklee School of Music faculty who served as judges for the competition and provided each ensemble with verbal and written feedback in addition to a numerical score. At the end of the day, Spencerport Vocal Jazz, directed by Alan Jones, was awarded second place in the Vocal Jazz I category. In addition, Gabby Agostinelli received the Judge’s Choice award for outstanding solo work during the performance. As a result of their second place finish, Spencerport Vocal Jazz was awarded three significant scholarships to Berklee’s Summer Performance Program.
The Spencerport High School Jazz Band under the direction of John Viavattine competed in the Large Ensemble Division (class 2) and placed seventh. Alex Kavulich was given the Judge’s Choice award for his outstanding work on lead trumpet.
Three thousand students and over two hundred vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles from 13 states and Canada competed is the nation’s largest and most prestigious high school jazz festival. The single day festival took place at the Hyne’s Convention Center.
