WHS Jazz Ensemble
State Finals
Saturday, March 23rd
The Jazz Ensemble competition season ended with a GOLD Medal at the MAJE State Finals and an invitation to perform at the Hatch Shell on May 12, 2013. Pieces performed were 'New Blues', 'Such Sweet Thunder' and 'Bill Bailey' featuring solos by Marie Peduto, Caroline Andrews, Lauren Sallade, Mackenzie Mildram, Ethan Barkalow, Ben Li, Pat Sullivan and Dylan Sellers. What an outstanding job the kids did! Congratulations to you all! Also, thanks to all the families and friends who came out to support them at their performances this season. See you all at the Hatch Shell.
If you didn't get a chance to catch the Jazz band perform this season come see them and the other jazz groups at the Jazz Night Concert, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 7pm at the Savings Bank Theatre at WHS.
If you didn't get a chance to catch the Jazz band perform this season come see them and the other jazz groups at the Jazz Night Concert, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 7pm at the Savings Bank Theatre at WHS.
4th Grade Choral Concert
There was a packed house at the GMS auditorium this past Thursday night for the first annual 4th Grade Choral Concert. So much buzz and excitement from everyone who attended. The fourth grades from Woodville, Dolbeare. Greenwood and Walton all peformed various song selections. The WHS 'Voices of Steel' made a guest appearance performing 'Some Nights' and 'I Want You Back'. The evening ended with a finale of all fourth graders performing 'Don Gato'. A fun evening was had by all. Great job everyone!! Check out the pictures from the concert.
String Fling Concert
The first annual String Fling concert was a huge success. What a turn out there was. Extra seats had to be put out for all the family and friends that attended. Each grade showcased their talent with songs that they learned in string class. The evening ended with all students from grades 4 through 12 performing the piece Orpheus in the Underworld together. Check out the pictures from the concert.
Walt Disney World Trip
What a trip to Disney! It started off with some rain but ended with a beautiful hot sunny day! Thank you to Mr. Bankert and staff for giving the students such a great experience performing in Walt Disney World and thank you to all the chaperones who helped out with the trip. All the students had a wonderful time and were pretty tired by the end of the trip. Pictures from the trip are now posted. Videos of the Chorale performance: http://youtu.be/OQks_n7FKi8, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXmsMkHY66A, http://youtu.be/PDwOnOo6FDM. Video of the Orchestra performance: http://youtu.be/abrG4IEuwcI
Alumni Jazz Band Performs at the Beebe Library
Alumni Jazz members and current Jazz members, under the direction of Mr. Bankert, put on a concert at the Beebe Library for the public on July 12th. There was a large crowd of spectators who attended the performance. People driving by even slowed down to listen. A great time was had by all. Thank you Mr. Bankert and all the students for a wonderful evening. Click here for more pictures.
Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry Collection 2012
The Marching Band members collected 2,064 food items for the Food Pantry on Saturday, Sept. 8. They exceeded last year's amount by over 300+ items. Congratulations to the trumpet and trombone section who collected a total of 582 items, an average of 36 items per person. Go to the photo gallery page for more pictures.
National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC July 2012
A great time was had by all during our trip to Washington, DC. Our days were filled with visiting the following museums and memorials: National Archives Museum, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, Air and Space Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and the World War II Memorial.
We had dinner at the Kennedy Center one evening and had a spectacular view of DC from the terrace. The Marching Band also participated in a special U.S. Military Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetary. We even had time to go to a Washington Nationals baseball game! All the kids endured the 97 degree temperature in full uniform and marched with Pride down Constitution Avenue. What a sight that was!! Fireworks were enjoyed by all on the Capitol's lawn and there were congo lines and lots of dancing too.
Our trip concluded with a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress. All pictures have been posted. Thank you Mr. Bankert, Mr. Small, Mr. Mertz and all the parent chaperones for a wonderful and memorable trip.
We had dinner at the Kennedy Center one evening and had a spectacular view of DC from the terrace. The Marching Band also participated in a special U.S. Military Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetary. We even had time to go to a Washington Nationals baseball game! All the kids endured the 97 degree temperature in full uniform and marched with Pride down Constitution Avenue. What a sight that was!! Fireworks were enjoyed by all on the Capitol's lawn and there were congo lines and lots of dancing too.
Our trip concluded with a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress. All pictures have been posted. Thank you Mr. Bankert, Mr. Small, Mr. Mertz and all the parent chaperones for a wonderful and memorable trip.
WHS 2011-2012 Jazz Ensemble
Congratulations to the WHS Jazz Ensemble. They closed the season by receiving a Silver Medal at the MAJE Sate Finals. Congratulations to Caroline Andrews who received the Outstanding Musician Award. Click here to see pictures from the performance.
Congratulations to the WHS Jazz Ensemble. They closed the season by receiving a Silver Medal at the MAJE Sate Finals. Congratulations to Caroline Andrews who received the Outstanding Musician Award. Click here to see pictures from the performance.
WHS Award Winning 2010-2011Jazz Band
Repeats as Berklee Winner 2011
For the second year in a row, Wakefield High School's Jazz
Band took first place at the 43rd Berklee Jazz Festival. They competed among sixteen bands in the Large Ensemble, Class 4 Division. Their path toward another first place, gold medal finish meant out-playing and out-scoring award winning bands from six different states at the Hynes Convention Center. Mike Russo, a
junior, was honored as one of three outstanding musicians in Class 4 for his trumpet playing. In addition to the prestige of winning the division, Wakefield's Jazz Band will receive four half scholarships for students to participate in summer Berklee programs. It is a rare feat to win the Berklee Competition even once. Wakefield's ability to garner another first place finish is unprecedented and speaks to the depth of talent in the group and the ability of Mr. Tom Bankert to hone and develop that talent into an award winning cohesive ensemble.
Band took first place at the 43rd Berklee Jazz Festival. They competed among sixteen bands in the Large Ensemble, Class 4 Division. Their path toward another first place, gold medal finish meant out-playing and out-scoring award winning bands from six different states at the Hynes Convention Center. Mike Russo, a
junior, was honored as one of three outstanding musicians in Class 4 for his trumpet playing. In addition to the prestige of winning the division, Wakefield's Jazz Band will receive four half scholarships for students to participate in summer Berklee programs. It is a rare feat to win the Berklee Competition even once. Wakefield's ability to garner another first place finish is unprecedented and speaks to the depth of talent in the group and the ability of Mr. Tom Bankert to hone and develop that talent into an award winning cohesive ensemble.
