The Westbrook High School Jazz Band won state championships for both jazz combos and jazz bands last weekend.
On Friday, Westbrook’s six-member jazz combo band beat out 11 other bands to win the Division 1 state high school jazz combo title at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport. The competition continued on Saturday, where the full jazz band won the state title for the third time in the last four years.
The Westbrook combo beat out other jazz combos from Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, South Portland, Old Town, Nokomis Regional High School, Brewer, Mount Desert Island, Presque Isle, Fryeburg, Morse, Messalonskee and Skowhegan.
Music Director Scott Trach said that the band was one of the three finalists to advance from the morning competition to play in the finals, held Saturday night. The Westbrook band took first place at the evening show, Trach said.
In winning their state title, the full jazz band placed ahead of bands from Scarborough, Noble High School, South Portland, Biddeford, Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Nokomis Regional High School, Oxford Hills, Cony High School, Messalonskee and Skowhegan.
In addition to the group titles, Westbrook musicians also had a successful individual competition, winning four out of the five awards presented for instrumental excellence. The awards went to Eric Moberg, who was named best trombone soloist; Jim Suilinski, who won the award for best saxophone soloist; Matt Brady, who won the award for best trumpet soloist; and Kyle Anderson, who won for best rhythm section player.
Trach was pleased with the band’s performance at the competition, and said the students were a credit to the music program. “This is perhaps one of the greatest high school jazz programs for jazz education I’ve seen,” said Trach.
Trach also had words of praise for Jazz Band Director Phil Rich and music teacher Tony Boffa for their efforts in developing the jazz program in the schools.
Members of Westbrook High School Jazz Band perform during preliminary competition held this past weekend at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport. Send questions/comments to the editors.
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