MSA Jazz combos take top honors, jazz bands and choirs deliver outstanding performances
NUSD is celebrating its music programs this week after bands and choirs from Marin School of the Arts (MSA) at Novato High School and San Jose Middle School gave outstanding performances at the Folsom Jazz Festival, one of the largest music competitions in Northern California.
San Jose Middle School Jazz Band I took top honors at Folsom placing first in their division and then taking first place in the finals competition later that evening.
Benedetta Dalbesio, Music Director at San Jose Middle School, was thrilled with the results. “Taking first place in our division was very exciting as well as earning a spot in the command performance. Then taking first place in the finals competition was spectacular. I’m really proud of the students as it was very well deserved,” commented Ms. Dalbesio.
Three jazz bands, three jazz combos and two jazz choirs from MSA at Novato High School also competed, with over 70 students performing. Topping the scores, Jazz Combo I performed music written by its members and took first place in their division (Combos A) among 28 high school combos competing. MSA Jazz Choirs I and II, under the direction of MSA’s Vocal Director Stevie Greenwell, both took third place in their divisions among 22 competing jazz choirs.
MSA Jazz Band I, under the direction of Dr. Greg Johnson, came away with fourth place in the final standings, after earning a command performance and placing fourth in their division (Bands AAA) among 60 competing high school jazz bands
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 and MSA. I’m very proud of them.”