MSA Jazz Choir 1 and Jazz Combo 1 Bring Home Folsom Festival Wins

 MSA Jazz Choir 1 and Jazz Combo 1 Bring Home Folsom Festival Wins

 Talented musicians and vocalists from Novato High School’s Marin School of the Arts and San Jose Middle School were a force to be reckoned with at the 28^th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival January 28 when the MSA Jazz Choir 1took first place in the top choir division and first place in the festival’s final Choir sweep.

Competing against some of the best high school vocal groups in Northern California, MSA’s top jazz choir earned first place in the top division before moving on to the evening’s command performance round at the January 28 competition, outscoring Downey, Natomas Charter School 1, and Archbishop Mitty High Schools.  MSA Jazz Choir II placed second in their division.

“I am extremely proud of the music the Jazz Choir is making and Saturday reflected that. They are performing with heart, integrity and musicianship,” MSA’s Vocal Director Stevie Greenwell said.

Earlier in the day, MSA Jazz Combo 1 took the top prize in the top Combo A Division, scoring higher than Berkeley, Folsom, Downey and Northgate High Schools.

Competing for the second time under the direction of Dr. Greg Johnson, MSA Jazz Big Bands performed extremely well. Jazz Band 1 took fourth place in the top-level division behind top-rated bands from Northgate, Berkeley and Rio Americano high schools. MSA Jazz Bands 2 and 3 also gave outstanding performances.

“I am never surprised by how well our music students do at these events,” said MSA Director Peter Ornstein.  “If you walk into Greg’s or Stevie’s classes, you quickly see why our students always do so well.  They are wonderfully instructed by these two great teachers.”

There was more good news from other Novato Unified School District music programs. San Jose Intermediate School Jazz Band took second place in their division; earning their second command performance and winning second place overall among middle school bands.  San Jose’s Jazz Combo also placed second in their division.

Benedetta Dalbesio, Music Director at San Jose Middle School, was thrilled with the results.  “Earning a spot in the command performance second year in a row was very exciting, along with taking second place.  I’m really proud of the students as it was well deserved,” commented Ms. Dalbesio.

Novato Unified School District’s Superintendent Jim Hogeboom expressed his congratulations to all bands, “Congratulations to all students who participated in the Folsom Festival.  This is a great demonstration of the excellent music program we have at NUSD.”