BATTLE GROUND SENIOR Garritt Stever performs with his trombone for director Greg McKelvey during the 50th Clark College Jazz Festival. Stever took home an award for Outstanding High School Musicianship. Photo courtesy of Battle Ground School District.
Local schools hit some high notes at the 50th Clark College Jazz Festival Jan. 26–28 at Gaiser Hall. Students from Battle Ground, La Center, Hockinson, Ridgefield and Woodland took home awards in both solo and ensemble categories during the three–day event.
Shelby Vermeulen, an eighth grader at La Center Middle School was awarded for outstanding jazz musicianship on her tenor saxophone.
In the high school categories, Battle Ground senior Garritt Stever received outstanding musician honors, along with Hockinson freshman Caidin Cheney for their work on the trombone. Fellow Battle Ground senior Austin Ebert, who also is a full-time student at Clark College as part of its “Running Start” program, was presented with an outstanding vocal musician award.
Battle Ground placed second in the Class 4A Jazz Ensemble Division behind Seattle’s Garfield High School.
Ridgefield received three awards, winning first place in the A Division for Jazz Ensemble, and senior Vinnie Sepe on alto saxophone along with juniors Jennifer Baird for trombone and Dean Millett on bass, received certificates for outstanding musicianship.
Woodland High School’s Grant Booker was recognized for his vocal work, while Woodland’s vocal jazz group was invited back to perform in Thursday night’s inaugural “Clark College Vocal Jazz Showcase”
Mountain View High School took the inaugural Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes Award, named after the festival’s coordinator from 1985–2007 during this year’s event.
