Date: Fri 28-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

NHS-Band-Festivals-awards

Full Text:

NHS Jazz Ensemble Earns

Accolades At Area Festivals

Band Director Jack Zamary has reported that the Newtown High School Jazz

Ensemble has made an impressive showing at three recent New England area

festivals, with two Newtown students gaining special recognition for

excellence.

"The Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston is termed the `world's largest' for good

reason," Mr Zamary said, mentioning that approximately 100 high schools

throughout New England participated.

The Berklee Festival was held Sunday, March 9, and Newtown's jazz ensemble

placed 17th in their division, Mr Zamary said. At the same event, Mark

Obolewicz won a prize for musicianship.

On March 17, the Jazz Ensemble marched in the New York City St Patrick's Day

Parade, and was given a second-prize evaluation among the many high schools

that were represented.

The Newtown Jazz Ensemble also performed very well in the Norwalk Jazz

Festival, which took place Thursday, March 21, Mr Zamary said.

"We placed first out of 10 bands. It's interesting to note that these were all

the same bands that had been at Berklee the week before," he added.

At the Norwalk contest, Floyd Kellogg was recognized for outstanding

musicianship.

On Saturday, March 22, the Newtown Jazz Ensemble performed at the American

School Band Directors Association Festival in Danbury. Mr Zamary said the

Symphonic Band gained the "highest possible" marks, earning a "Superior"

award.

At the Danbury event, the Concert Band gained the second highest possible

marks, earning the rank of "Outstanding," Mr Zamary added.