Staying on beat the Harlingen High School, Harlingen High School South, Gutierrez Middle School, Vela Middle School, and Vernon Middle School Jazz Ensembles competed in the 48th annual Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) Jazz Festival on March 30 in Kingsville, TX.
As a result of their outstanding performances, the HHS Jazz Ensembles received a Superior rating for their performance and earned 1st place in their respective class. The HHS Honors Jazz Ensemble was named the festival’s overall Grand Champion for its seventh consecutive year. The Harlingen South Jazz Ensembles earned a Superior rating and 2nd place overall in their respective class.
For the middle school contest, Gutierrez earned a Superior Rating, and were awarded 1st place; Vela earned a 1st division Superior Rating; Vernon earned a 1st division Superior Rating and won the 2nd place trophy.
One of the oldest festivals in the nation, the event hosted bands from Austin, Laredo, San Antonio, Victoria and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Judges for the festival included Kenneth Peach-Victoria ISD, Dr. Bob Morgan-Houston ISD and Bennett Wood-Texas State University.
See full results below.
Harlingen High School
Three HHS Jazz Ensembles received a Superior rating for their performance, and all three received 1st place in their respective class. The HHS Honors Jazz Ensemble was named the overall Grand Champion of the Festival for the seventh consecutive year.
The Jazz Ensembles performed 3-4 songs consisting of an up-tempo swing, funk, ballad, and a latin piece. Several students were also recognized for their performance and named to the “All-Star” Jazz Band. Aaron Gonzalez- Tenor Sax(11), Josue Ayala- Bari Sax (10), Rogelio Trevino- Trumpet (10), Stephen Flores- Guitar (12), and Myles Rosenbaum- Drums (12), were all named to this elite group. Myles Rosenbaum was also named the the overall outstanding jazz musician of the entire festival.
The HHS Honors Jazz Ensemble was the featured high school jazz band at the UTB Jazz Festival on Thursday, April 2.
Directors for the groups include Ronnie Rios- Honors Jazz, Maria Coronado- Jazz 2, and Rob Larios/Manny Hernandez- Jazz 3.
Harlingen High School South
The Harlingen South Jazz Ensembles earned a Superior rating and 2nd place overall for their classes. An “All-Star” jazz band was selected by the judges that represented the best players in each section. Three members from Harlingen South were named along with one member from the Cano Freshman Academy Gold band. They were: Brandon O’Donahue- Trumpet (11), Ryan Mowers-Trumpet (11), Ivan Trevino-Vibraphone (12), Xavier Esparza- Trombone (9).
Directors for the groups include Shane Shinsato- Jazz Band 1 and Joey Rodriguez- JV Jazz.
Gutierrez Middle School
The Gutierrez M.S. Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating, and were awarded 1st place in the festival. The following five students were named to the All Star Jazz Band: Ashley Mendez on Bari Saxophone, Lorenzo Molina- Trumpet, Frank Rodriguez- Trumpet, Ruben Barajas- Trombone and Aaron Garcia- Trombone. This is the first time the band walks away with the first place award. The Gutierrez Jazz Bands are under the direction of William Bennett and Heliodoro Bravo.
Vela Middle School
The Vela M.S. Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating. The following five students were named to the All Star Jazz Band: Ryan Morales- Alto Sax (7), Ryan Pena- Tenor Sax (7), Georgina Guerra- Trumpet (8), Jude Modica- Trumpet (7), Noel Lopez- Trombone(8), Luis Alicea- Trombone (8), Alexander Castillo- Piano (8), Seth Gonzalez- Drumset (8) grade. Earning the Outstanding soloist award was Noel Lopez- Trombone (8). The Vela Jazz Bands are under the direction of Estella Monasmith and Erika Uribe.
Vernon Middle School
The Vernon Jazz Band earned a 1st division Superior Rating from all three judges and won the 2nd place trophy for the middle school contest.
The following four students earned positions in the Middle School All-Star Jazz Band: Alexandro Camacho- Cornet (8), Alejandra Chapa- Trombone (8), Miranda Cruz- Bass Guitar (8), and Haydee Munoz- Alto Sax (8). The Vernon Jazz Bands are under the direction of Keith DiSantis, Donna Philippus, and Percussion Instructor Dennis Lester.
