Grandview Jazz Band Students Earn Awards at Recent Festivals

The Grandview High School Jazz Orchestra was the top-scoring band at the University of Missouri/Rockbridge Jazz Festival Feb. 13, earning the designation of “Command Band” and was asked to perform before the University of Missouri jazz band at the festival’s evening concert. Jazz Orchestra earned unanimous 1 ratings from all three judges and in sight reading.

Grandview High School Jazz Ensemble, Grandview Middle School and Martin City Middle School Jazz Ensembles received 2 ratings. GHS’s Jazz Orchestra has earned the honor of Command Performance band 3 years - every year Grandview has participated in the festival.

Grandview’s Jazz Orchestra received a 1 rating at the University of Central Missouri Jazz Festival Feb. 20. Grandview seniors Aaron Spencer on drum set, Geran Turner on alto saxophone, junior Mark Herrera on alto saxophone and sophomore Josh Keleher on bass received outstanding soloist awards.

Grandview’s Jazz Ensemble received a 2 rating. Grandview Middle received a 1 rating with 8^th grader Anna Mott, trumpet, receiving a soloist award. Martin City Middle received a 2 rating with 8-grader Josh Norgren on bass and the saxophone section receiving outstanding musicianship awards.

GHS jazz band members saw Grandview High School alums Aryana Nemati play lead alto saxophone with the MU Jazz Band and Justin Conklin on lead alto saxophone with the UCM Jazz Ensemble I.

Friday, Feb. 26, Grandview jazz bands will take part in the Northwest Missouri State Jazz Festival and on Friday, March 4, the Pittsburg State University Festival where Doc Severinson, formerly of the Tonight Show, headlines the traditional evening concert.

All four bands will perform at the district’s annual Sweet! Hot! Jazz! concert and chocolate bar March 2 which raises scholarship funds for band students continuing to play in college.