The high school Jazz Ensembles made their mark at the 46th Annual TAMUK Jazz Festival on March 22.
Four Harlingen High School and two Harlingen High School South Jazz Ensembles brought back the highest honors.
The two-day event saw all four HHS Jazz Ensembles receive a Superior rating for their performance, and 1st place in their respective class. The HHS Honors Jazz Ensemble was named the overall Grand Champion of the Festival for the 5th consecutive year.
Both HHSS Jazz bands earned second place in the first and second group categories.
The festival hosted bands from Laredo, San Antonio, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley.
Several students were also recognized for their performance and named to the “All-Star” Jazz Band. HHS students Kayla Juarez, alto sax, Cody Gonzalez, tenor sax, Jacob Cantu, bari-sax, TJ Saenz, trumpet, Amber Maldonado, trumpet, Aaron Mata, trombone, Bianca Lopez, baritone, Stephen Garcia, trombone, Juan Maldonado, piano, Carter Mink, bass, Wesley Barclay, steel drums, and AJ Padilla, timbales earned positions in the jazz band.
In addition to HHSS students Armand Cavazos, alto sax, Frank Gonzales, trombone, Favian Ibarra, trumpet, Ryan Mowers, trumpet, Ivan Trevino, vibes, Addie Ramirez, flute were awarded places on the All Star Jazz Band. Cavazos was also presented with the “Outstanding Musician of the Day” award.
The ensembles will next perform at the Palo Alto Jazz Festival in San Antonio April 5th, and the Georgetown HS Jazz Festival April 6th. They conclude their season at the McAllen Jazz Festival on April 13th.
