Nokomis, MDI, Fort Fairfield take jazz honors

WESTBROOK — Jazz bands from Nokomis High School in Newport, Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor and Fort Fairfield High School won first place in their respective divisions at the Maine State Jazz Festival held March 24 at Westbrook Junior High School and Congin Elementary School in Westbrook.

Orono High School won first place in the high school combos category.

The festival generated great enthusiasm and excitement, according to Steven M. Orlofsky, band director at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill and assistant instrumental jazz chairman of the Maine Music Educators Association. Jazz ensembles and directors from across Maine participated in the competition, presenting fine group performances.

A total of 55 ensembles performed — 33 high school jazz bands, seven high school combos and 15 junior high school jazz bands. Nine high school jazz bands — the top three scoring jazz bands from Division I, II and III — were selected to perform in the finals that evening to determine first, second and third place finishes in each division.

The final division standings at the 1990 Maine State Jazz Festival are:

High School Division I, jazz bands — first place, Nokomis High School; second place, Westbrook High School; and third place, South Portland High School.

High School Division II, jazz bands — first place, Mount Desert Island High School; second place, Hampden Academy; and third place, Mount Blue High School.

High School Division III, jazz bands — first place, Fort Fairfield High School; second place, Yarmouth High School; and third place, George Stevens Academy.

High School combos — first place, Orono High School; second place, Nokomis High School; and third place, Yarmouth High School.

Junior High School Division I, jazz bands — first place, Presque Isle Middle School; second place, Nokomis Junior High School; and third place, Caribou Middle School.

Junior High School Division II, jazz bands — first place, SeDoMoCha Junior High School; second place, Wiscasset Middle School; third place (tie), Mattanawcook Junior High School and Old Orchard Beach Junior High School.