John Bapst High Jazz Band excels at state competition

BANGOR – The John Bapst Memorial High School Jazz Band took second place in the Division III State Jazz Competition held March 18 in Newport. In addition, Bapst senior Ryan Lena of Orono was awarded an Outstanding Musicianship Award for solo performance on violin.

By all accounts, the John Bapst Jazz Band aced its three selections, “Cherokee,” “Shadow of Your Smile” and “A Night in Tunisia.” Jazz Band Director Al McIntyre said the band performed to an enthusiastic and supportive audience in the afternoon competition, earning a standing ovation from its fans.

At the awards presentation, the band found that it had earned one of the coveted spots in the evening performance.

“These musicians worked hard all year to make it to that evening performance. It was their goal,” McIntyre said.

More than 50 percent of the student body at John Bapst participates in performance activities. Along with the Jazz Band, the school supports a Jazz Combo, Concert Band, Chamber Ensemble, Pit Band, Concert Choir and Chorale.

In addition to Ryan Lena, this year’s Jazz Band members are seniors Casey Benn, Brett Frye, Elliot Graebert and Maxwell Spanger of Holden, Andrew Clark of Veazie, Patrick Kane of Bangor, Molly Lizotte of Orrington, Melissa Moreau of Glenburn, and Jordan Trundy of Clifton; juniors Ian Bamford of Blue Hill, Anders Beal of Orrington, Justin Bousfield and Joseph Price of Glenburn, Frank Kessler of Amherst, Christopher Leach of Castine, Caroline Openshaw of Hampden; sophomores Emily Bousfield of Glenburn, Autumn Doughty of Veazie, Margaret Kane of Bangor, Jamie LaPierre of Milford, Virginia Marston of Orland, Molly Soneson of Orrington; and freshmen Jonathan Atkinson and Ryan Lad of Glenburn and Christopher Fogler of Orrington.