The Carroll ISD Jazz Orchestra was recently selected in a blind audition as one of the 15 finalist bands in the U.S. in the Essentially Ellington competition. The competition is the most prestigious nationwide high school jazz competition, and this is the sixth time in the program’s history that they have been selected for this honor.
“We are so excited to have been named Essentially Ellington Finalists for the sixth time in our program’s history,” said David Lown, Carroll ISD Director of Jazz Bands. “The students in the Jazz Orchestra worked incredibly hard on their audition material, and it is humbling and exciting to be included in the list of 15 bands from across the nation. We will transition now to hard work on our contest set for the Finals competition, to be held virtually on June 4-5.”
The finals competition itself traditionally happens in New York City, but due to COVID it will be held virtually this year on June 4 and 5. The finalists were revealed on Friday, April 9 in a video announcement from Wynton Marsalis. You can view the video announcement here.
See below a list of the students in Jazz Orchestra:
| Justin Wu | 10 | Alto Sax |
| Logan Clay | 11 | Alto Sax |
| Joe Sweeney | 12 | Tenor Sax |
| Henry Thompson | 12 | Tenor Sax |
| Diego Peña | 11 | Bari Sax |
| Chase Adams | 12 | Trumpet |
| Hudson Koonsman | 12 | Trumpet |
| Alex Estridge | 12 | Trumpet |
| PJ Owston | 12 | Trumpet |
| Callum Andrews | 11 | Trumpet |
| Riley Silfies | 12 | Trombone |
| Chris Estridge | 12 | Trombone |
| Nicole Krishna | 11 | Trombone |
| Jack Kester | 12 | Trombone |
| Jake Bonanno | 12 | Bass Trombone |
| Tom Kersen | 11 | Piano |
| Alec Schwartz | 12 | Bass |
| Carter Adams | 12 | Drums |
| Charlie Hook | 11 | Drums |
