Jazz event coming to Millinocket

MILLINOCKET – Zachary McEwen isn’t being precocious when he says he sees a medal in the Stearns High School Jazz Band’s immediate future.

“We had a difficult time in the sectionals, but we’ve really improved our songs,” McEwen, a Stearns freshman alto saxophone player, said Tuesday. “We’re really good now. We’ve added some solos. I think we’re going to at least get an award. Maybe not first place, but something.”

Residents will get to see whether the school’s band is as good as McEwen’s word on Friday and Saturday. That’s when about 70 high school jazz duos, ensembles and bands from 35 public and private high schools all over Maine, including Stearns and a band from Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln, will compete at Stearns in the Maine Music Educators Association’s High School State Instrumental Jazz Festival. The public is invited.

“That’s 10 or 15 more bands than we had last year,” said Kris Vigue, Stearns band director. “It’s going to be a huge event. Every hotel and restaurant from here to the highway [Interstate 95 in Medway] will be booked with visitors this weekend.”

With the weather’s cooperation, which wasn’t there last year, the event is likely to draw at least 2,000 people.

As host for the competition for the second year, Stearns will have about 100 volunteers, including members of the town councils and school committees from Millinocket and East Millinocket, school administrators and teachers, and area residents to ensure that things run smoothly, Vigue said. The volunteers will work as emcees, hall monitors and guides.

Some of the musical talent drawn to the competition is astounding, said Vigue and Town Manager Eugene Conlogue.

“We’re glad to see it here because of the number of people it draws, but the real benefit is that people get to see and hear these talented individuals perform,” Conlogue said. “The quality of the music is just amazing.”

Probably the most remarkable performance last year came from South Portland High School senior Neal Pearlman. Under the pressure of having 2,000 spectators and a few judges watching, Pearlman led his band through “Birks Works” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger” – playing piano and trombone on both compositions. It was a feat of sheer musical dexterity that won Pearlman an Outstanding Musicianship Award for Jazz Band.

George Stevens and Mattanawcook academies, Maine Central Institute and Nobel, South Portland and Westbrook high schools were among the gold medal winners in 2007. All are expected to return this year, Vigue said. Also competing are teams from high schools in Brewer, Calais, Hermon, Mount Desert Island, Newport and Old Town.

The Stearns jazz band, which will compete in the smallest school category, Division III, is composed of students from both the high school in Millinocket and Schenck High School of East Millinocket. Both schools feature some pretty powerful talent, Vigue said.

“Many of our kids are so multitalented that we can’t have more than one practice a week because they have so many other commitments,” Vigue said. “I love that they are into so many different things.”

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If you go…

WHAT: A statewide musical competition involving 70 high school jazz duos, ensembles and bands from 35 public and private high schools. At least 2,000 people are expected to participate in or attend the event.

WHERE: Stearns High School of Millinocket.

WHEN: 10:35 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday, with awards presented for that day’s performances at 9:30 p.m.; 9:05 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Saturday with awards presented at 3:30 p.m.; final competitions start at 6:30 p.m.

HOW MUCH: $5 a day for adults, $3 for students and seniors each day, $15 a day for families.

Source: Maine Music Educators Association.