Members of Beloit Memorial’s Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble took home top honors from Saturday’s Purdue University Jazz Festival in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Beloit Memorial Sweeps Top Honors
Both bands were first among 17 bands they competed with in their divisions. They each earned the title of Honor Band in competition in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Purdue University Jazz Festival
Two band members received top individual honors. Adam Hobson (trumpet) and Nora Lewis (Alto Sax) received the Outstanding Soloist Awards in their divisions and won Blue Lake Arts Camp Scholarship.
Also receiving soloists awards were: Brandon Terwilliger, Noah Poepping, Adrian Sowicz, August Braatz, Carly Behrens, Naomi Patten and Josue Cortez.
“It’s been an incredible first semester for these musicians – looking forward to the rest of the year,” said bands director Chris Behrens.
Jazz Studies program at Purdue University, directed by Dr. M.T. “Mo” Trout, said that winning Honor Band and top soloist in a division is quite an honor.
Doubly so for Beloit Memorial.
“So really, they couldn’t have done better,” Trout said. “Beloit Memorial is one of the outstanding high school jazz bands in the country and Saturday’s Purdue Jazz Festival performances only emphasized that fact. In my estimation, Mr. Behrens clearly is a master teacher.”
More Information
Chris Behrens
National Board Certified Teacher
Band Director
608-361-3072
cbehrens@yahoo.com
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