Local jazz bands compete in district festival

Staff Photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
ALL JAZZED UP — Houlton High School Band Director Joe Fagnant warms up the HHS Jazz Band as they prepare for the district jazz festival in Presque Isle. Musicians are, front from left, Elyjah Crockett, Chelsi Murray, Robby Woods, Morgan Kibler and Courtney Bragan; middle, Alexis Rush, Isaac Morse, Aaron Faulkingham, Amelia St. John and Phoenix Crockett; and back, Alex Casilla and Josh Sullivan.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Student musicians from throughout Aroostook County shone as brightly as their trumpets, trombones and saxophones last Wednesday night as they competed in the District 7 Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Northern Maine Music Educators Association.
    Middle and high school jazz bands from Presque Isle, Houlton and Fort Kent participated in the festival, which was held at Presque Isle Middle School.
    Bands that received a 74 or higher advanced to the state competition. All of the bands participating advanced to the state competition, which will be held March 18-19 at Mount Desert Island High School for high school musicians and March 26 at Stearns High School in Millinocket for middle school students. Each group had 25 minutes to get on stage, perform, and exit the stage. The high school state jazz festival will be held.
Staff Photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
REHEARSALS — Members of the Houlton Junior High School band, under the direction of Kevin Mania practice a song before competing Saturday in the District 7 Jazz Festival in Presque Isle. Musicians include, front from left, Hannah Gervais, Jacob Condon, Keegan Fitzpatrick, Hayley Flewelling and Morgan Wotton.
    “The district festival is a qualifying event to move on to the Maine State Jazz Festival to be held at Mount Desert High School on March 19,” Houlton band director Joe Fagnant said. “The Houlton High School Jazz Band qualified for the state festival and received a one rating.  The group impressed the judges with their sound, song choices and musical style. The band’s soloists — Marina DiMarco, Zach Waite, Tanner Caron, Zacharia Harvey and Dustin Fitzpatrick — all received solo awards.”
    “This year, every school that came for a score from the judges made it to states,” said Pat Bragdon, host director and band/vocal music instructor at PIMS. “Some bands in the past have performed one long, 15-minute song, but generally groups do three songs … something jazzy, a slow ballad, and some type of Latin tune.”
Staff Photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
JUNIOR HIGH — Houlton Junior High School band members, from left, Emily Dickison, Blake Bagwell and Nick Hagan practice the song “Cute” during their warm up at the District 7 Jazz Festival in Presque Isle Saturday evening.
    Sherri Calhoun, who teaches music at Mapleton Elementary School, served as one of the judges along with Bob King, a retired music teacher from Limestone.
    “[As a judge] I look for basics and good musicianship. For example, good tone production, are they breathing correctly, are they articulating clearly, are we hearing a lot of dynamic contrast, are they phrasing well, are they playing together … just basic musical concepts,” said Calhoun. “We’re trying to look at things that are real black and white.
    “The other thing we’re looking for is whether or not what they’re playing is developmentally appropriate for them,” she said. “We don’t expect the same level of difficulty of music from the middle school that you would from a high school, but you would take that into account.”
    Calhoun said she was pleased with how well the bands performed.
    “The kids are doing well, and it’s exciting to see the kids grow as musicians; I’ve seen a lot of growth,” she said. “My encouragement to all the performers is ‘Keep on tootin’.’”
Staff Photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
GOT RHYTHM? — The Houlton High School Jazz band rhythm section prepares to perform at the District 7 Jazz Festival Saturday in Presque Isle. Getting ready are, front from left, Cody Woods, Zach Waite and Tanner Caron; and back, Dustin Fitzpatrick and Zacharia Harvey.