Princeton High School Musicians Win Big At Berklee Jazz Festival

PRINCETON, NJ — For the eighth consecutive year, the Princeton High School Studio Band won first place at the prestigious Berklee Jazz Festival on Feb. 11.

A number of other ensembles and individuals from PHS were also honored for their performances at the competition, the school district announced.

The wins included a first for the school: Gillian Scott took second place in the Outstanding Musicianship category in the Vocal Jazz Choir Division for her voice. It was the first award Princeton High School Studio Vocals has ever received for a vocalist in this category.

Princeton High School senior Gabe Bar-Cohen won the Superior Musicianship Award in the Jazz Combo Category. He said that when it comes time to perform, the intensity of the competition brings everything into focus.

“The feeling of leaving everything out there on the bandstand is second to none,” he said. “It only sweetens the deal that I go through this high-stakes competition with some of my closest friends."

“It is always fulfilling to see all our hard work and preparation pay off,” said Princeton High School Junior Anne Irving, a member of the Princeton High School Studio Vocals and Studio Band that won for the eighth consecutive time at the competition. “It makes me realize how lucky I am to be part of a program that provides such great opportunities for its students.”

Princeton High School Band Director Joe Bongiovi credits the students’ successes at the competition to their hard work and their group camaraderie.

"We have an incredible program full of students who are dedicated to learning and to each other,” Bongiovi said. “They spend so much time in and out of the rehearsal room practicing and bonding. This year's group in particular has an incredible sense of sharing and trust with each other. It is great to see all their individual and group efforts be rewarded by top musicians in the industry."

The Berklee Jazz Festival is the largest competitive jazz festival in the world and is considered the “National Championships” for high school jazz bands, combos, and vocal jazz ensembles.

This year, more than 210 high school ensembles from across the nation competed in a variety of different categories.

Panels of professional jazz musicians judged the student performances and provided the ensembles with valuable feedback.

In addition to the performances, clinics by Berklee College of Music faculty and guest artists were held throughout the day.

The festival’s prominence, along with the opportunities it offers students to learn from esteemed professionals, make the Berklee Jazz Festival something many Princeton High School musicians look forward to all year.

A full listing of Princeton High School’s results at the Berklee Jazz Festival can be found below:

Large Ensemble Division:
Princeton Studio Band - 1st place
Outstanding Musicianship Award - Simon Hwang (Alto Sax)
Judges' Choice Award - Liam Sutcliffe (Trumpet)

Small Combo Division:
Princeton Jazz Combo - 1st Place
Superior Musicianship Award - Gabe Bar-Cohen (Drums)
Outstanding Musicianship Award - Jonah Rubin (Tenor Sax)
Outstanding Musicianship Award - Harrison Tsui (Trombone)
Judges' Choice Award - Gabe Bar-Cohen (Drums)

Vocal Jazz Choir Division:
Princeton Studio Vocals - 2nd Place
Outstanding Musicianship Award - Gillian Scott (Voice)
Judges' Choice Award - Maisie Ryle (Voice)

Berklee Singer Showcase:
Maisie Ryle - 2nd Place
Note: Maisie placed 2nd in 2016 as well.
Herb Pomeroy Jazz Composition and Arranging
Alexander Moravcisk - 2nd place
Arjun Raguram – 3rd place

Non-Competitive Division:
Princeton Jazz Ensemble - For Adjudication Only/No Placements in this division