The West Jazz Ensemble is a co-curricular group at the school that meets after school each week on Thursday. Membership in the group is by audition and is open to any student in Grades 9-12. Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, along with trumpets, trombones, keyboard, electric guitar, bass guitar and percussion make up the instrumentation. This is the basic "big band" instrumentation. Auditions for the group take place for the following school year in June. Audition materials are available from Mr. Mark. With the exception of guitar and bass players you MUST be enrolled in a curricular performing ensemble to be a part of the organization.
The group explores the many different styles of jazz and gives each student the opportunity to use their creativity by learning the art of jazz improvisation. Along with two school concerts each year the Ensemble also performs at the District Jazz Showcase and local festivals and competitions as well. Various local and school events round out the group's performance schedule.
In the Spring of 2005 in Virginia Beach the group captured 1st Place at a North American Music Festivals competition and received a Superior Rating and in 2006 placed 2nd at a Music In The Parks festival at Dorney Park. In 2009 the band took second place in Myrtle Beach, SC at a Fiesta Val with Senior trumpeter Ryan Ermey winning the Best Soloist Award. In May of 2010 the Ensemble took first place at at NAMF in Virginia Beach, VA as well as winning the Best Overall Instrumental Performance trophy. Senior Alto Saxophonist Andy Horne won the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award. In 2011 the Ensemble again captured first place at a Heritage Music Festival in Boston, MA and freshman bari sax player Jon Abesh won the trophy for BEST JAZZ SOLOIST.
Congratulations to the West Jazz Ensemble for winning first place and Best Overall Instrumental Performance at the Heritage Music Festival in Boston last March. Freshman Bari Saxophonist Jon Abesh won the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award as well.
2011-2012 ROSTER
SAXES TRUMPETS TROMBONES PIANO GUITAR BASS
Jeremy Rotblat Carmello Villegas Ryan Sagedy Brian Cieslewicz R.C. Rossell Sam Soloman
Joe Seaman Alex Newton Chris Leyh Joe Matlack Johnny Yosko Jack Meidel
Rob Segrest Adam Robinson Treat Dunne
John Abesh Zack Milner Alex Scott PERCUSSION
Sean Desjardins Megan Webster Ryan Thieke
Ayo Ogunsami Jim Burkhardt
The ensemble will perform at the West Winter and Pops Concerts as well as the JAZZ SHOWCASE at Rosa on Wednesday February 16th.
