Schreiber Musician Selected to Perform With All-National Jazz Ensemble

Paul D. Schreiber High School senior Jordan Lerner has been selected as the only baritone saxophone player in the country to perform with the National Association for Music Education’s 2016 All-National Jazz Ensemble.

He will perform with the All-National Jazz Ensemble at the NAfME All-National Honors Ensemble conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas this November.

“I couldn’t believe it. Just starting out in high school, I never would have thought that playing sax could take me so far, and so many places,” said Jordan, who scored 100 on his audition two consecutive years as part of the All-National criteria. “I’m excited. I want [the conference] to be tomorrow.”

Jordan earned this honor through his previous musical achievements, as well his submission of a recording that was adjudicated by internationally known jazz musicians and educators. During his junior year in September 2015, Jordan was selected to the New York State School Music Association Winter Conference for both the baritone and alto saxophones.

“This is an enormous honor,” Kevil Scully, Port Washington School District Director of Creative Arts, said. “Jordan is a member of an ensemble comprised of the 20 best high school jazz musicians in the country. On behalf of the district, I congratulate him on this impressive distinction.

NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles represent the top performing high school musicians in the United States. In addition to providing the nation’s top student musicians an opportunity to perform among their peers, the conference is educational, as students work closely with some of the most renowned music educators from throughout the country. In addition to the jazz ensemble, All-National Honor ensembles have been assembled in the areas of concert band, mixed choir and symphony orchestra.

Jordan has been playing saxophone since the fourth grade. He also played classical piano privately as a youth.

"I would also like to thank Schreiber Jazz Band director Tony Pinelli, Schreiber Band director Mark Brenner, and all of the music teachers who have taught Jordan during his years in the Port Washington School District,” Scully said.

Story by Syntax, Photo courtesy of the Port Washington UFSD: Jordan Lerner is the only baritone saxophone player in the country selected to perform with the NAfME’s 2016 All-National Jazz Ensemble.