April 06, 2009

Badger High School Jazz Band is finalist in Essentially Ellington Jazz competition in New York City

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janet Giovannetti

For many home buyers, the quality of the school system is an important element in the selection of a home.

As an 18-year member and current vice president of the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School (Badger) Board of Education, I have seen many positive events in our local high school district. However, few are as exciting as the recent news that our Jazz Band was named a finalist and is headed for New York to compete in the 2009 Essentially Ellington Jazz Band competition on May 8, 9, and 10.

The selection process begins with the band learning 3 of 6 original Duke Ellington jazz transcriptions (not simplified scores), and submitting a CD recording. According to the Essentially Ellington website,

“All entries are judged in a blind screening process by professional jazz educators/musicians and every submission receives a thorough written assessment and a certificate signed by Wynton Marsalis… Fifteen bands are selected at finalists and, to prepare, each finalist band receives an in-school workshop in their community led by a professional musician. Essentially Ellington culminates in a three-day festival in May for the finalist bands. Students, teachers, and musicians from across North America participate in workshops, rehearsals, and performances. The festival concludes with an evening Concert and Awards Ceremony open to the public at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall featuring the three top-placing bands and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in an all-Ellington concert.”

Certainly, as one of fifteen schools selected from applicants across the nation, band members and their teacher, Greg Bunge, deserve the highest accolades.

If you wish to contribute to the band’s fundraising efforts, please call me at 262/949-3570 or e-mail me at jangio@keefrealestate.com.

For further information about Lake Geneva schools or the Essentially Ellington competition, check the following sites:

www.lakegenevaschools.com
www.jalc.org

Congratulations and good luck to all at the May performance at Lincoln Center!

Posted By: Janet Giovannetti

Tagged With: badger high school, essentially ellington jazz band, jazz at lincoln center orchestra, lake geneva schools, lincoln center and wynton marsalis