BHS Jazz Band Named Grand Champions At Competition

BENSALEM, PA — Bensalem High School's jazz band has taken home a top honor.

This past weekend, the band traveled to the Cavalcade of Bands Jazz Championships, where they received the contest's only Superior rating and were named their division's grand champion.

The jazz band performed compositions by jazz legend Woody Herman at the competition, at Arcola Intermediate School in Eagleville.

Bensalem High's jazz band qualified for the championships by competing in more than three Cavalcade-sponsored jazz festivals during the 2018-19 season.

In addition to the overall win, two BHS band members earned Outstanding Soloist awards. Dan Fauni was recognized for his trumpet solo and Kelsey Patterson was recognized for her flute solo on "Celestial Swinging Blues."

The BHS saxophone section also was honored as the evening's best sax section.

At festivals earlier this season, BHS also has been awarded Best Trombone Section and Best Saxophone Section. During the past 11, years, the Bensalem High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Michael Zimmerman, has been named grand champion three times.