The Cheney High School jazz band had two successful trips to local jazz festivals in two weeks, one at the University of Montana and the second at Mead High School in Spokane.
At the University of Montana’s Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival on March 15, the band brought home the Larry Gookin Outstanding Trombone Section Award thanks to trombone players Sara Nanny, Peter Hampson, Paige King and Colton Foster.
Eleven Cheney students received “outstanding musician” recognition, including Cheney High School students Carter Little, Jacob Simonsen, Hunter Smith, Dezmon Atkins and Ethan Hall; Westwood Middle School students Elizabeth Bae, Kailynn Low and Sean San Pedro; and Cheney Middle School students Tess King, Landon Moad and Colin Chen.
Little also received an outstanding soloist honorable mention.
At the Mead High School Jazz Festival on March 23, Cheney High School placed for the first time in six years, earning first place in its division.
“The kids are just working really hard this year and we have quite a good senior class,” Cheney’s band and percussion director Josh Wisswell said. “They’re working as a group and put in a lot of time and energy and a lot of dedication.”
Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].
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