Information provided by BHS

Congratulations to Ballard High Jazz Band I, who participated in the 50th annual Reno Jazz Festival on April 28th through 30th, bringing home a 4th place award in the ‘A’ Division for bands. The band was scored with Superior marks by adjudicators. According to the festival organizers, “The festival acts as an inspiration, an educational stimulus and a showcase for some of the country’s most promising and talented middle school, high school and college-age musicians. These students comprise the several hundred bands, vocal groups and ensembles from the Western United States that attend and compete for coveted awards.” The Ballard musicians gained experience, technical knowledge, and individual critique at the Reno Festival. Festival experiences help musicians grow individually and collectively.

Ballard Jazz players recognized for outstanding musicianship in the band category are: Amy Gore-Tenor Sax, Alex Thiersch-Tenor Sax, Mason Lim-Flugelhorn, and Denali Cornwell-Drums.

Ballard Jazz players recognized for outstanding musicianship in the combo category are:
Combo I: Katie Webster, Alto Sax and Kaye Gill, Bass,
Combo II: Mason Lim, Trumpet and Denali Cornwell, Drums.

The Ballard High School Jazz Band is proud of its recent successes and emergence into the Seattle jazz scene as one of the Northwest’s top high school jazz bands. It’s accomplishments include selection as a Finalist in the 2012 Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, multiple invitations to perform at the annual “Hot Java Cool Jazz” concert sponsored by Starbucks, a performance at the prestigious Earshot Jazz Festival, a first place finish at the 2013 Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, and selection as a Finalist in the 2014 Swing Central Jazz Festival in Savannah, Georgia and the 2015 “Next Generation” Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. It was recently named one of two “Outstanding Big Bands” at the 2016 UW Jazz Festival.