WHIDBEY ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
2007/08 Double Feature Series
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features GOLDFINGER
with the South Whidbey High School Jazz Ensemble
SWHS Jazz Ensemble selected for New York competition
by Sue Frause
It's a really big deal.
The South Whidbey High School Jazz Ensemble is one of only 15 jazz bands in the nation selected for this year's Essentially Ellington competition in New York.
According to Seattle Times jazz critic Paul de Barros, one-third of the 15 bands are from the Seattle area.
The other Puget Sound schools are Mountlake Terrace, Shorewood, Garfield and Roosevelt.
It's the first time South Whidbey High School has been part of the prestigious mix.
Dayle Gray, SWHS Band Booster Co-President with Shelley Marsanyi, said it's an incredible honor. "The kids are so excited," said Dayle.
The talented musicians recently won their division at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho and played on the big stage for the evening concert.
The band is under the direction of Chris Harshman, and will fly to New York for the competition, scheduled for May 15-17 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The final concert is at Avery Fisher Hall on May 17 at 7:30 PM.
Eighty-two bands entered the competition by submitting a recorded performance of three Ellington compositions.
Throughout March and April, Jazz at Lincoln Center will send a professional musician to each of the 15 finalist schools to lead an intensive day-long workshop of rehearsals, lessons and master classes.
Read more about "Whidbey Island Life" in Sue's blog!
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Join us at Prima Bistro for an Intermission Dinner -
or following the Concert at The Edgecliff Restaurant & Lounge!
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