OA Jazz Band Wins Gold Medal

The Jazz Band won gold medal at the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education festival and state finals on March 19.

“We knew we had done an awesome job, we knew we had a pretty solid performance,” said Michael Hansen, a junior baritone saxophone player at OA.  “Unlike other bands, we only practice once a week, every Thursday night for three hours while other bands may rehearse much more than that so to be at the same level just shows the hard work that we put into our music.”

“We really pulled everything together that we’ve been learning all year,” said Ralph Peterson, a senior trumpet player.  “[Band Director] Mr. Wheeler has been fine tuning us in rehearsal and it really seemed to click that day; we played awesome.”

Both Hansen and Peterson also received outstanding musicianship awards for their performances.

“It’s an incredible feeling to win an award like that on a state level,” said Peterson.  “Honestly, there are so many great players in the band that I’m just honored to be acknowledged by the judges. It’s definitely a humbling experience to be recognized for my contributions.”

“It’s very exciting; it’s like winning an Oscar for an actor,” said Hansen’s mother, Francine. 

According to http://www.majazzed.org/, MAJE is a service organization dedicated to increasing the worldwide growth and development of jazz and jazz education.

 The Association initiates programs that nurture and promote the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its heritage, provide leadership to educators regarding curricula and performance, assist teachers and practitioners with information and resources, and take an active part in organizing clinics, festivals, and symposia at the local and state level.

Medals are awarded to recognize achievement and are not meant to rank the bands in any order.

OA’s road to the state finals included second place (out of 17) at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival , winning a Silver Medal at the Southeastern District competition in Stoughton which precipitated an invitation to the All State finals held mid-March in Framingham.

Wheeler said that, for their All State selections, OA played “Mean to Me” featuring senior flute player, Alex Bressette; William "Count" Basie’s “Everyday I have the Blues” featuring Michael Hansen on the baritone saxophone (in place of typical vocals); and “Latin Dance” featuring David Segill on alto saxophone. 

All gold medal winners – including Oliver Ames, Boston Latin, Foxboro, King Philip, Medfield, Norwood, Stoughton, Wakefield and Wellesley – have been invited to perform in the Hatch Shell Big Band Jazz Showcase on May 15.  The event is open to the public.

“They’re rewarded with not only the prestige of being recognized at a high level, but they get to play at the Hatch Schell,” said Wheeler, noting this is the third time OA has won a gold medal in four years. 

“We went my freshman year and we went last year; that experience was incredible,” said Peterson.  “To play on the same state that some of the Greats in the world have played on, to be in Boston -- that’s one of the most incredible musical experiences that you could ever have is to play the Hatch Shell.” 

Band members credit Band Director Wheeler for his hard work and dedication to the program. 

“We couldn’t have done it without him, his dedication to the program is what made us so good,” said Peterson.  “We went from mediocre when he first started [as band director] to skyrocketing…He’s a great educator and a great person. He definitely doesn’t receive the credit he deserves.”

For a complete list of finalists, click here. For more information on the festival, click here.

The OA Jazz Band’s next performance will be part of the jazz band concert on April 12 in the Oliver Ames auditorium.