Courtesy Union Public Schools
Union High School senior trumpet player Michael Howland received an once-in-a-lifetime honor after he was named to the Jazz Band of America.
“This is indeed a very rare and prestigious honor for Union to have a student selected for an elite and highly selective ensemble such as this,” says Matthew McCready, assistant director of Fine Arts. “With the multitude of auditions heard by the selection committee, it is truly an outstanding reward that validates the hard work and effort put in by Michael practicing his trumpet since he began in beginning band.”
The Jazz Band of America debuted March 2007 at the Music for All National Festival, a huge kick-off with the band opening for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. The second annual performance of the Jazz Band of America will again be part of the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis in spring 2008.
Shelly Berg, jazz pianist and dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, will direct the band with a special guest artist. Berg brings a considerable array of talents to the contemporary music scene.
“Shelly Berg is a great jazz pianist,” says U.S. jazz pianist David Brubeck, “who seems to have total command of his instrument. He is talented, too, as a composer, arranger and group leader, which is evident in the way he utilizes in his trio the excellent playing of his drummer and bassist.”
This national honor jazz band is comprised of high school musicians, selected by taped audition. Participation in the program for selected members began Feb. 27 and continued through March 1.
The Jazz Band of America will run concurrent to the National Concert Band Festival, Orchestra America National Festival and National Percussion Festival. Jazz Band of America members will have a jam-packed experience with Master Classes, concert listening and a Gala Awards Banquet.
