39 Mustang jazz musicians performing in two big bands and one combo traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana this weekend to participate in the 2013 Purdue Jazz Festival. Performing for adjudicator feedback and competing against over 75 other ensembles from around the midwest, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab, and the Combo all earned Division I ratings with scores averaging in the 90's.
The South HS Combo earned an Outstanding Performance award from the judging panel, putting them second place in their room for the day. In the combo, seniors Julia Wood (bass) and Michal Witek (guitar) earned special praise from the adjudication panel in the combo room, each earning a 1/2 scholarship to the Western Illinois University Jazz Camp in Macomb, Illinois for their outstanding musicianship during the combo performance.
Additionally, 18 Mustang jazz musicians earned a total of 23 outstanding musician/soloist awards, given by the panel of adjudicators for solo or ensemble performances that are exceptional:
Morgan Baade, baritone saxophone
Lee Biederman, baritone saxophone
Chris David, alto saxophone
Marjorie Fera, trumpet
Sean Hux, tenor saxophone (2)
Tommy Leinart, piano
Bridget Moroney, clarinet/tenor saxophone
Joe Perillo, drums
Chris Plantz, drums
John Shimanek, trumpet
Christian Siki, alto saxophone (2)
Danny Tedeschi, trombone
Michael Tegeler, trombone
James Weiss, tenor saxophone
Ian Williams, piano (2)
Julia Wood, bass (2)
Michal Witek, guitar (2)
Kat Woltman, bass
"We are proud of these students musicians and their continued commitment to jazz performance excellence." said director Glenn Williams. "The ensemble excellence and vast student soloist recognition is earned only through the hard work of the players in the ensembles."
