Thursday, November 10, 2022
As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all electronic devices. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Program subject to change.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Members Ben Jaffe: Bass (upright), Tuba, Percussion
Ronell Johnson: Trombone
Charlie Gabriel: Saxophone (tenor), Clarinet
Walter Harris: Drums, Percussion
Clint Maedgen: Saxophone (tenor), Percussion
Kyle Roussel: Piano, Wurlitzer, Organ Branden Lewis: Trumpet
About Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a humble, much-loved room dedicated to keeping the past and future of jazz alive. It’s a well-worn, well-loved space that’s physically small but spiritually huge. People from around the globe make pilgrimages to it, and this fall, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has embarked on a pilgrimage of its own: a nationwide tour to celebrate the Hall’s 60th anniversary. The band’s mission remains focused on initiating audiences into the ineffable, almost religious experience of channeling their ancestors through the music and culture they’ve inherited from them. “Touring is a part of our ritual,” Ben Jaffe, creative director of Preservation Hall, adds. “It’s our tradition. When my parents began touring with the band in the early 60s, they were bringing something that most people didn’t even know existed to stages all over the world. It was this magnificent revelation to people that something so beautiful could even exist. People come to Preservation Hall and have transformative experiences, and that’s part of our mission: to go out in the world and make that experience available to people.”
Coming to MPAC March 3rd Tickets at mayoarts.org
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
November 10, 2022
NOVEMBER
Outstanding Brass Musicians Nicholas Andrade (Grade 12, Roxbury High School; Nominated by Jeffrey Conrad) Nicholas is a senior member of the Roxbury band program. He has been the principal trombone of our top instrumental ensemble, the RHS Honors Wind Symphony, since his sophomore year and is a student leader in our marching band. He has been active in the Region I and NJ All State Band and Orchestra programs. He is also principal trombone of the NJ Youth Symphony. Nicholas is not only a great young musician, he is more importantly a wonderful young man: kind, caring and supportive. He is valued and respected by teachers and peers alike. He leads by example and is always open to constructive criticism. Simply put, Nicholas is a valued member of our program and his presence elevates all those around him. Chris Balo (Grade 12, Kinnelon High School; Nominated by Ryan Stroud) Chris is a senior here at KHS and has been an absolutely critical piece to our puzzle. Heplays in our Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band and Pit Orchestra. He is the first to volunteer for anything that can help our program out, and he's constantly looking for more opportunities to play his horn. Additionally, Chris has already earned his pilotʼs license and regularly makes solo flights around the region. He intends to go to school for aviation, but I know he's going to keep playing his trumpet. Heʼs a great kid. Weʼre incredibly lucky to have him. Griffin Branch (Grade 7, Mendham Middle School; Nominated by Russell Branch & Michael MaHadeen) Griffin is a true low brass musician playing tuba/euphonium and bass trombone interchangeably and at an advanced level for his age. Griffin plays tuba in concert band, bass trombone in Jazz Band and euphonium as a secondary instrument in Regions workshop. Griffin attended Blue Lake Fine Arts these past two summers on merit scholarship as well as the NJPA summer band camp (2021 on euphonium, 2022 on tuba). Griffin was accepted into Elementary Honors Band last year as a 6th grader and will be auditioning on both tuba and euphonium for Area Band and JH Regions this year as a 7th grader. Griffin comes from a musical family where he recently performed at Jaimie Branchʼs (his aunt) memorial at the Pioneer Works venue in Red Hook Brooklyn alongside professional jazz musicians Lester St. Louis, Jason Ajemian and Jason Nazarry. Griffin has taken advantage of every musical opportunity available to him here in MTMS. He does five mornings per week before school in the band department, attends Regions workshop as his elective and is one the very few students whom has actually moved forward with his musical development during the pandemic. Griffin is a highly motivated and well-educated young musician whom I recommend for this honor without hesitation. Maeve Celli (Grade 12, Parsippany High School; Nominated by Gregory Dalakian) Maeve Celli has been a dedicated member of the PHS Bands for their entire career since entering high school four years ago. Maeve has been a standout trumpet player since their freshman year and has had numerous solos with our Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble. They have been a dedicated member of all aspects of the PHS Band program: Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble and Pit Orchestra. Maeve has continued to improve on the trumpet every year, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, and has become a role model to their peers. In addition to being a talented musician, Maeve's creativity and appreciation for music has contributed a great deal to our music classroom. Bridget Harty (Grade 8, Pearl R. Miller Middle School; Nominated by Brian Scanlon) Bridget is a member of every ensemble our school has to offer. As a 7th grade student Bridget took on some new challenges and successfully auditioned for our two honor groups. As a 7th grader Bridget was a featured soloist with our Jazz-Rock Ensemble. She also held down the first chair trombone in our grade 6-8 Advanced Musicians Band. Bridget has grown significantly in her time in middle school. She takes advantage of extra help opportunities to ensure she is always bringing her best to the ensembles she is participating in. She has been recommended for North Jersey Area Band and is looking forward to
The 2022-2023 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
OUTSTANDING BRASS MUSICIANS auditioning for the Region I Junior High Band later this year. In closing, Bridget is not only a great member of our band program, she also demonstrates some of the highest character imaginable. Jordan Hicinbothem (Grade 7, John Hill School; Nominated by Yvonne Manca) Jordan has been an instrumental part of the music program at John Hill School. She has been playing the trumpet since 4th grade. She is currently in 7th grade but has been playing the 1st trumpet part for the past two years because she has a tremendous range and agility. In the middle school, she sits first chair and is our lead trumpet player. She never misses a practice and always enters the room with a smile on her face and eager to learn the music. It is for these reasons that I nominate Jordan for Outstanding Brass Player. Rebecca Hirschfeld (Grade 12, Mountain Lakes High School; Nominated by Meredith Boyan) Rebecca is a senior tuba player at Mountain Lakes High School. She has dedicated so much of her time to improving her individual musicianship through private study and practice. She performs with the Juilliard Pre-College program, and brings her expertise back to school to share with our ensemble. She provides our Wind Ensemble with an excellent bass foundation, and she makes the hard passages look easy! She is a dependable and important member of the band, both personally and musically, and we at MLHS are lucky to have her participating in our ensembles. Andrew Lin (Grade 12, Whippany Park High School; Nominated by Peter Sciaino) Andrew is an exceptional trombone player and a wonderfully dedicated member of our band program. He serves as Brass Captain for our marching band, has successfully auditioned for honors groups and has been a featured soloist in our school ensembles (marching, jazz, concert). Andrew has demonstrated a work ethic that I use as an example to motivate his peers and younger members of our band program. While he displayed a rather high musical aptitude as a young student, he was also regularly working on fundamental skills needed to play at a high level. Now he is an inspiring performer who continues to improve with every rehearsal. In addition to his participation in our instrumental program, Andrew was a standout in my AP Music Theory class. While Andrew is gifted with perfect pitch, his natural abilities did not define his aptitude in the course as much as his work ethic did. Kensley Lovius (Grade 7, Brooklawn Middle School; Nominated by Joseph Stella) Kensley is a euphonium player who switched from the trumpet last year and has really excelled since the switch. Having Kensley on the euphonium has not only helped the sound of our 7th grade band, but it has also motivated him to practice more and improve his overall musicianship. He is also considering another switch to tuba this year to continue to help refine the instrumentation in our band. His combined musical talent, drive to improve and overall polite and mature demeanor makes him a fitting recipient of the Outstanding Brass Player recognition. Anthony Murray (Grade 8, Mount Olive Middle School; Nominated by Melany McQueeny) Anthony currently plays trombone in the 8th grade band and both of our after school groups - Junior Winds and Jazz Band. Anthony has also participated in the North Jersey Area Band. He is an incredibly dedicated music student and is always prepared. Anthony is also always helping members of his section as well. He is a leader within his section, the band, and the entire school community. Anthony is a stellar student. He is always looking at ways to improve himself as a musician and asks some really great questions! You can honestly see the wheels turning in his brain any time a recommendation is given to him. Anthony has truly embodied what it means to be an outstanding brass player, and I canʼt think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Jacob Spiegel (Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School; Nominated by Bradley McMurray) Jacob is an outstanding musician and student. He has been taking private lessons on the trumpet for four years through the pandemic. Last year Jacob made the North Jersey Region Symphonic Band as a 7th grader. Jacob is constantly showing me the repertoire he is working on in his lessons and is always interested in performing a solo for the class or at a concert. Jacob also plays the National Anthem at all the pep rallies and is very excited to start Marching Band in high school. Katherine Trabachino (Grade 8; Frelinghuysen Middle School; Nominated by Timothy Beadle) Kate is an outstanding trumpet player at Frelinghuysen Middle School who will also play the baritone when needed! In addition to playing in band classes, Kate is an important member of the Falcon Big Band and Wind Symphony, both of which meet after school on different days. In every group, Kate is the first to know her music and also the first to help the other students. Sheʼs not just a trumpet player, sheʼs a leader!