Old Town band the jazziest

OLD TOWN – The Old Town High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Priest, and the Leonard Middle School White Jazz Band, under the direction of Shianne Wheeler, both captured State Championships at the Maine State Jazz Festival in March.

The OTHS Jazz Ensemble also finished first at the Berklee Jazz Festival held in Boston.

The White Jazz Band’s first place finish marks the 11th consecutive year that Leonard Middle School has won the State Jazz Festival.

The Old Town High School Jazz Band 2, Combo 2, and Combo 1 also competed at the State Jazz Festival and received trophies for second place in their respective divisions. This is the first time in school history that all four groups have finished in the top three. The Leonard Middle School Blue Jazz Band received a rating of one and finished in fourth place.

Each year the State Jazz Festival recognizes an outstanding soloist on each instrument.

At the high school festival, senior Nick Noonan was selected to receive the Outstanding Trombone award for Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo 1, while freshman Scott LaFlamme earned the Outstanding Trumpet Award for Jazz Band 2 and Jazz Combo 2. Nick Noonan also received the Outstanding Trombone award at the Berklee Jazz Festival.

At the middle school level, eighth-grader Kate Thibault was chosen as the Outstanding Saxophonist and sixth-grader Caleb Ward was selected as the Outstanding Trombonist.

On Tuesday, May 25, the Old Town High School and Leonard Middle School Jazz groups will present a combined concert at 7 p.m. at the OTHS Gym.