Schools
AHS Place Second at 43rd Annual Berklee Jazz Festival
The Jazz fest took place at the Hynes Convention Center in downtown Boston.
The Annual Berklee Jazz Festival is the largest of it's kind in the United States. With more than 3,000 students from 200 bands competing for $175,000 in scholarships to Berklee Summer Programs, the festival assembles the top High School Jazz Bands throughout the country.
Arlington High School recently wowed judges and came within one point of taking home the top overall prize. Although they fell just a little short this year, the Jazz Band and AHS Jazz Music Director Sabato D'Agostino were elated with bringing home the silver.
“It was phenomenally,” said D'Agostino. “This is just the second year we have participated and we were not expecting to be on the top of the list.”
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When they heard they lost by one point, D'Agostino said the Jazz Band members were “initially upset [they] came so close, but overall, it was outstanding to place so high.”
Two personal honors were awarded to bass guitar player, Otto Briner. The senior was singled out as the Most Outstanding Overall Player at the festival, and also won a Top Four Award, placing best for his instruments' category.
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“Personally, I'm not too much into competition,” said D'Agostino when asked why him and his Jazz Band choose to join the festival. “However, I wanted my students to have a good time and I think it was successful because it gave them a good learning opportunity and taught them a lot about the jazz feel, the dynamics, the alignment, and playing in-front of others on a competitive level.”
D'Agostino mentioned that all his students were extremely polished and prepared for the show. However, since the team placed so high in the final standings, the Jazz Band were awarded the chance to send three students to the Berklee Summer Jazz Program at a rate of 35 percent off.
“It will come down to whoever really wants to discover the program, I will be talking with the kids and see who really wants to benefit from it,” said D'Agostino when asked who would receive the honor.
For more information on the 43rd Annual Berklee Jazz Fest, click here!
