Newtown Middle School's Jazz Band members reflected on Monday, March 28, after school about the group's recent excursion to the University of New Hampshire's Clark Terry Jazz Festival.
After participating in the festival on March 12, the middle school Jazz Band earned one of the four awards of excellence for its performances, according to NMS music teacher and Jazz Band Director Mark Mahoney.
The students overwhelmingly said they enjoyed the trip to New Hampshire and the experiences they gained from attending the festival.
Michael Elston said the band took a bus up for its first night, and when the group was awake and ready the next day, the students went to see other bands perform.
"It was fun listening to the other… middle school bands," said Michael.
The band then warmed up, performed, and had a clinic with the festival judges, according to Michael.
Student Trevor Merrick said the group got to listen to one of the University of New Hampshire jazz bands after eating lunch that Saturday. The university band played for over an hour, he added.
Willem Doherty said the NMS Jazz Band has been practicing roughly two times a week since October, and the group was able to warm up before performing for judges at the festival.
The students performed "Moment's Notice," composed by John Coltrane and arranged by Mark Taylor; "Last Night of the Bengle," composed and arranged by Peter Blair; "A Child is Born," composed by Thad Jones and arranged by Mike Carubia; and "Abracadabra," composed and arranged by Larry Barton at the festival.
Hayden Fletcher said his favorite song to perform was "Abracadabra," "because it is really loud and exciting." A number of students agreed. "Abracadabra" was the song the Jazz Band performed last before the judges.
While performing at the University of New Hampshire was not the largest venue student Meredith Taylor said the NMS Jazz Band has performed in, she said it "was really fun because it was a new experience for some of us."
Students said they learned a lot from participating in the festival, like how to move gear between performances, the NMS Jazz Band has its strong points and other bands do to, how to step in when something doesn't work out as planned, how to focus on the performance not on nerves, and hearing criticism from the judges can help the group improve on their skills.
"We learned that we can't always be the best, except we're still pretty awesome," said student Ethan Paley.
Mr Mahoney said responses from other teachers in attendance at the festival said the NMS Jazz Band performed like a high school band.
"I was really pleased with their performance. It was mature way beyond their years," said Mr Mahoney.
The NMS Jazz Band will perform at the WCSU Jazz Festival this weekend during the 21st Annual Western Connecticut State University Jazz Festival, running March 31 to April 2.
Members of Newtown Middle School's Jazz Band with Director Mark Mahoney, standing in the first row on the left, while attending the University of New Hampshire's Clark Terry Jazz Festival.
Joseph Soriano, standing center, as Willy Wonka at a rehearsal on Thursday, March 24, for the Sandy Hook Elementary School production of Willy Wonka Kids. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
Middle Gate Elementary School fourth grader Emily Hechler was one of many students jumping rope in her school's gymnasium on March 22 for Jump Rope for Heart. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
Seven NHS seniors were honored at Winter Extravaganza for their participation with Winter Percussion. From left are Marie Randle, Becky Romano, Jimmy Buck, Molly Begg, Lucas LaDestro, Talyn Keoni, and Aimee Talbot. (Donna Monteleone Randle photo)
The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. (The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. (The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. The Newtown Varsity Color Guard traveled to West Branch, N.J., March 19 to compete in a Color Guard Regional Championship. (Scott Coleman photo)
Three senior Color Guard members were honored during a ceremony at the Winter Extravaganza on March 26. The three girls are pictured with their parents at the event. From left are Scott Coleman, Sarah Coleman, Theresa Coleman, Debbie Glaser, Amanda Glaser, Dan Glaser, Scott Wolf, Liz Wolf, and Kathryn Wolf. (Chris Wheway photo)
Sandy Hook Elementary School's Jump Rope Club recently posed for a photo. From left, front row, are Andy Hong, Sophia Dutsar, Caitlin Milks, Rhyan O'Neill, Olivia Lugo, Hanna Reps, Maria Salamy, Avery Donahoe, Brian Sibley, Brady Brosius, Kiley Bomba, and Kayla Emmi; second row, teacher Jackie Lloyd, Julia Berry, Lucas Nascimento, Stephen Sibley, Griffin Brand, Olivia Skowronski, Abby Swansigy, Summer Harrell, Grace Fischer, Sophia Salamy, Ella Seaver, Jessica Zhang, Jules Battaglia, Alexandra Kinsey, Bennett Quinn, Cole Sgagliardich, and teacher Kate Magness. Teacher Geraldine Jackman is not pictured.
Riley DeLoughy, portraying the Candyman, sang during rehearsal for Sandy Hook School's Willy Wonka Kids. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
Cast members of Sandy Hook School's Willy Wonka Kids performed as Oompa Loompas at a March 24 rehearsal. (Bee Photo, Hallabeck)
