2024 Jazz All-State Ensembles MAINE
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
Welcome to the 2024 Maine Jazz All-State Festival!
On behalf of the Maine Music Educators Association, THANK YOU for joining us this weekend. Whether you are a musician, educator, chaperone, audience member or parent, you are part of an extraordinary event! A festival of this magnitude takes an enormous amount of work. Please join me in recognizing many of the people who make this weekend possible:
Kristen Thomas, Jazz All State Festival Chair from Mt. Ararat High School for providing exceptional leadership in ensuring festival protocols, communication with directors, and creating a schedule for the performance groups. George Redman, Jazz VP from Bangor High School for leading and assisting in all things jazz in our state.
Beth LaBrie, Executive Director, for handling all of the contracts, travel, and accommodations for our guest conductors. Beth also takes care of housing arrangements for staff and school districts and a myriad of other business transactions necessary for a successful festival.
Anita Jerosch, Associate Professor of Music at UMA for hosting our jazz auditions this fall. David Morris, Auditions Chair from Hall-Dale High School for scheduling and running our fall auditions.
Craig Ouellette and Drew Albert from Camden Hills Regional High School, our hosts! Welcoming an event of this scope is a significant undertaking, requiring extensive planning and support from numerous stakeholders. Special thanks to Jen Curtis, Principal of CHRHS. This event could not be the success it is without the leadership and involvement of parents, students and the Camden community, all working to ensure a positive experience.
MMEA Executive Committee members: Sandra Barry-Past President, Matthew Waite-President-Elect, Beth LaBrie-Executive Director, and the MMEA Board members for endeavoring to bring the best experiences possible to students.
Sarah Bailey, MMEA Treasurer of Greely High School for making sure that our checks are signed and delivered in a timely fashion.
Hanna Flewelling, MMEA Publications Editor and Media Chair for our professional publications, programs and our online messaging
Fred Grant, owner of WHOU.LIVE for providing the livestream feed for those unable to attend in person.
The efforts of these colleagues are in addition to their daily work as music educators. Their vision for this event and dedication to your music students is unmatched.
As you enjoy the performances today and experience all that music brings to you, take a moment to consider the innumerable hours of practice, rehearsal, and planning on the parts of young musicians and educators. Behind every musical ensemble performance is an individual effort, a high degree of group collaboration, and a willingness to take risks. Our musicians and educators have persevered through unprecedented events and continue to do so. They deserve our highest respect and support as we all strive to bring outstanding music education experiences to all students.
Thank you for being part of this event!
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Forster President, Maine Music Educators Association mainemmea.org
2024 Jazz All-State SSAA Choir
Katie Oberholtzer, Conductor
Colin Graebert, Accompanist
Wendy Northup, Manager
When You Wish Upon a Star
Painted On Canvas
The Nearness of You
I Want To Be Happy
Leigh Harline, arr. Colin Graebert and the SSAA combo
Gregory Porter, arr. Kerry Marsh
Hoagy Carmichael, arr. Kirby Shaw
Vincent Youmans, arr. Kerry Marsh
2024 Jazz All-State SATB Choir
David Scott, Conductor
Kelly Muse, Accompanist
Ciara Hargrove, Manager
It’s Something
I Thought About You
Candy
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter
David Foster/Brenda Russell, arr. David Scott
Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Mercer, arr. David Scott
Alex Kramer/Mack David and Joan Whitney
arr. Paul Weston, transcribed and adapted by David Scott
Fred E. Ahlert/Joe Young, arr. David Scott
2024 Jazz All-State Combo
Trent Austin, Conductor
Jason Priest, Manager
The King Gemini
Hum Segment
Count Basie
Mary-Lou Williams
Bob Brookmeyer
Charlie Parker
2024 Jazz All-State Band
Douglas Owens, Conductor
Craig Ouellette, Manager
Bird Count
Oh, Lady Be Good
That Warm Feeling
Emergency Stopping Only
Maria Schneider
George Greshwin & Ira Gershwin, arr. Terry White
Sammy Nestico
Craig Skeffington
2024 Jazz All-State Honors Band
Michele Fernández, Conductor
Craig Skeffington, Manager
Scott Road Sprint
For Kenny and Lee
Saõ Meu Sol
The Pursuit of Funkiness
Craig Skeffington, arr. Terry White
Mike Sakash
Michele Fernández
Michele Fernández
2024 All-State Jazz SSAA Chorus
Soprano
Nina Emery, Bucksport HS
Mia Cyr, Yarmouth HS
Tessa Hayashida, Edward Little HS
Erin McNeilly, Kennebunk HS
Heather Gustin, Caribou HS
Emma Antoine, Hall-Dale HS
Adia Ameswright, Yarmouth HS
Amanda Tomlinson, Bangor HS
Alto
Zoe Daigle, Fryeburg Academy
August Flynn, Yarmouth HS
Eleanor Young, Mt. Ararat HS
Abigail Scott, Hampden Academy
Sam Caswell, Brunswick HS
Blue Orenstein, Yarmouth HS
Maya Faulstich, Yarmouth HS
Lyra Legawiec, Mt. Ararat HS
Neptune Martin, Lincoln Academy
Rhythm Section
Guitar: Steph Kochis, Edward Little HS
Bass: Bailey Townsend, George Stevens Academy
Drums: Sebby Ovigele, Waynflete HS
2024 All-State Jazz SATB Chorus
Soprano
Evelyn LaCroix, Skowhegan Area HS
Ruby Colwell, Gardiner Area HS
Rose Tuttle, Mt. Ararat HS
Annabella Farnsworth, Yarmouth HS
Reva Shende, Brunswick HS
Sadilee Violette, Caribou HS
Fiona Brandt, Hall-Dale HS
Chloe Troy, Yarmouth HS
Alto
Lindsy Stephenson, Telstar HS
Alexis Scott, Hampden Academy
Veronica Gray-Berrios, Bucksport HS
Lillie Driscoll, Brunswick HS
Afia Kavi, Edward Little HS
Rekha Goonesekere, Cony HS
Oliver Black, Falmouth HS
Kathryn Williams, Falmouth HS
Maddie Yates, Greely HS
Tenor
Natalia Rothwell, Noble HS
Ava Gould, Brunswick HS
Reuben Saffer-Meng, South Portland HS
Tristyn Flinner, Bonny Eagle HS
Theo Cloutier, Hall-Dale HS
Benet Moholland, Hampden Academy
Jo Cothen, Hall-Dale HS
Miles Fleming, Hall-Dale HS
Bass
Jacob Piche, Bonny Eagle HS
Coltrane Vitalius, Yarmouth HS
Brian Lucy, Fryeburg Academy
Jaxson Longyear, Skowhegan Area HS
Nathan Innes, Falmouth HS
Paxton Fog, North Yarmouth Academy
Kevin Lucy, Fryeburg Academy
Geoffrey Chase, Westbrook HS
Rhythm Section
Guitar: Eduardo Cordero, Fryeburg Academy
Bass: Ason Munro, Mount Desert Island
Drums: Luke Duquette, Thornton Academy
2024 All-State Jazz Combo
Alto
Tenor
Saxophone: Joey Porter, Old Town HS
Saxophone: Gabriel Badeau, Gorham HS
Violin: Isaac Houghton, Fryeburg Academy
Trumpet: Dylan Courtney, Hampden Academy
Trombone: Ambrose Maynes, Kennebunk HS
Piano: Hayato Ohno, Thornton Academy
Guitar: Ellis Sánchez, Shead HS
Bass: Sig Reinholdt, Mount Desert Island
Drums: David Dealaman, Yarmouth HS
2024 All-State Jazz Band
Saxophone
1st Alto: Max Davis, South Portland HS
2nd Alto: Karlie Reith, Hall-Dale HS
1st Tenor: Emily Hagarman, Ellsworth HS
2nd Tenor: Carter Franks, Fryeburg Academy
Bari: Nathaniel Plocinski, York HS
Trombone
Lead: Matthew Ewy, Kennebunk HS
2nd: Alec Theriault, Noble HS
3rd: Moses Thibault, Noble HS
4th: Nelson Kebokere, South Portland HS
Trumpet
Lead/5th:Ashton Kinney, Westbrook HS
Lead/5th: Allison Faust, Gardiner HS
2nd: Tristan Hardel, Yarmouth HS
3rd: Katelyn Meyers, Brewer HS
4th: Quang Lam, Sanford HS
Rhythm Section
Piano: Claudia Dunn, Cony HS
Guitar: August Watson, South Portland HS
Bass: Tess Straw, Cape Elizabeth HS
Drums: Ethan St. Pierre, Fryeburg Academy
2024 All-State Honors Jazz Band
Saxophone
1st Alto: Molly Greenleaf, Mt. Ararat HS
2nd Alto: Griffin Gillis, Fryeburg Academy
1st Tenor: Jiwon Choi, Fryeburg Academy
2nd Tenor: Bryan Wiers, Maine Central Institute
Bari: Grayson Needham, Massabesic HS
Trombone
Lead: Soleil Huang-Dale, Fryeburg Academy
2nd:Sebastian Hesser, Cape Elizabeth HS
3rd: Zane Roggenbuck, Orono HS
Bass: Saihajpreet Kohli, Greely HS
Trumpet
Lead/5th: Quinn Hagerty, Fryeburg Academy
Lead/5th: Hannah Paterson, Sanford HS
2nd: Arlo Shargo, Cony HS
3rd: Gracelyn Gauvin, Westbrook HS
4th: Jack Arey, Greely HS
Rhythm Section
Piano: Oscar Horowitz, Poland Regional HS
Guitar: Kai Hernandez, Portland HS
Bass: Cass MacCarthy, North Yarmouth Academy
Drums: Howard Saffer-Meng, South Portland HS
Katie Oberholtzer
Katie Oberholtzer is a jazz vocalist originally from southern Maine, currently residing in New York City. In 2020 Katie earned her undergraduate degree in jazz studies with a concentration in vocal performance from the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music. She then went on to earn her Master of Music degree in jazz vocal performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music in 2022. While at Frost, Katie was a member of the award winning group, the Frost Sextet, with whom she performed at various prestigious venues including Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center.
In 2023 Katie was privileged to be awarded second place in the International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition. In 2021 Katie received two Downbeat Awards in the 44th Annual Student Music Awards: Best Jazz Vocal Soloist award, and Best Blues, Pop, Rock Group Award. In spring of 2022 Katie was honored to have won the Downbeat Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Soloist, as well as Best Large Jazz Vocal Ensemble as a member of the Frost jazz vocal ensemble, Extensions.
As a freelance musician Katie has worked and performed with several world class jazz musicians including Christian McBride, John Pizzarelli, Shelly Berg, Brian Lynch and Cyrille Aimée. When in New England, Katie enjoys an active career as a freelance musician and can be seen performing regularly with Maine’s premiere big band, the Portland Jazz Orchestra.
Colin Graebert
Colin Graebert is a choral conductor, accompanist, jazz pianist, and singer currently serving as the Director of Vocal Music at John Bapst Memorial High School, the choirmaster of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and the accompanist of the Bagaduce Chorale, Mount Desert Summer Chorale, and Bangor Area Youth Choir. He studied jazz piano at the Berklee College of Music and received his B.M. in Music Education at the University of Maine and his M.M in Conductingfrom Messiah University. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. He resides in Stockton Springs with his wife, Hilary, and their two children, Eric and Ruth.
David Scott
David Thorne Scott is a singersongwriter and instrumentalist who performs in jazz, pop, and classical styles. He is also a composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher. He often accompanies himself on piano and electric bass.
Cadence Magazine said, “He phrases like a saxophone player and is as slippery and hip as the young Mel Tormé,” and Herb Wong wrote, “I haven’t been this moved by a performance of ‘For All We Know’ since Carmen McRae.”
“At a time of great conflict in our country—when words often fail us—music has the power to bridge divides. David Thorne Scott explores the intersection of jazz and Americana, city and country, instrumentation and lyrics, to create lush compositions and covers that are unifying and healing in their beauty.”
—Laurie Fanell
Kelly Muse
Hailing from South Portland, Maine, pianist Kelly Muse is involved in a wide variety of musical projects and events throughout New England. From Big Band to Rock, weddings to musicals, to performences with the Portland & Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Kelly has been involved with almost any music project conceivable. Currently he is music director at HopeGateWay church in Portland, bandleader of the popular wedding/function band Mixology, and plays piano at the prestigious White Barn Inn.
Trent Austin
Celebrated trumpet artist, educator/ clinician and entrepreneur Trent Austin is a trumpeting Renaissance Man. His brilliant performances and recordings in both the jazz and classical music worlds, as well as packed-house master classes have garnered him rave reviews, awards and international acclaim.
A prodigy, in high school Austin performed at the opening of Euro-Disney and also was a featured performer at the 1992 Montreux Jazz Festival. He was selected first trumpet of the Maine All-State Music Festival and was awarded a full music scholarship to the University of New Hampshire to study classical trumpet. Austin’s other early career awards include being named to the prestigious Berklee Grammy® High School Jazz Band in 1993 and designated lead trumpet of the 1995 Disney All-American Show Band. He was also a featured soloist at the 1996 Harmony Ridge Brass Festival and at the 1997 Lake Placid Institute of the Arts Seminar.
As an in-demand pro, Trent has performed with a lengthy list of music’s Who’s Who, including Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Jack Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Peter Erskine, Arturo Sandoval, Hal Galper, Dick Oatts, Marvin Stamm, Red Holloway, Jesse Davis, Dick Johnson, Kenny Werner, and Bob Wilber. For eleven years, Austin was a featured trumpet soloist with the famed Artie Shaw Orchestra. He is currently a first-call performer in the Boston Metro and Southern New England areas as well as throughout the Midwest.
Austin has recorded four albums: Trumpet 101 (2001), Two-Toned (2006), Meditations for Solo Trumpet (2009), and Trumpet 102 (2012). Each of these efforts demonstrates Austin’s impeccable command of his instrument and marvelous artistic approach.
Trent has studied jazz improvisation privately with greats Jerry Bergonzi, Kenny Werner, Chuck Findley and engaged in extensive studies with Hal Crook and Charlie Banacos. His primary classical instructors include studies with Robert Stibler of the University of New Hampshire, Benjamin Wright of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and with Edward Carroll, formerly musical director of the New York Trumpet Ensemble.
Fiercely dedicated to the cause and development of music and jazz education, Trent was a trumpet professor at the University of Southern Maine for nine years and regularly provides clinics and Master Classes nationwide at various trumpet and brass conferences, including at the International Trumpet Guild Conference and other trumpet/brass conferences. Austin also maintains an active teaching studio in Kansas City, MO and worldwide online via Skype, providing trumpet and jazz improvisation lessons.
Dr. Douglas T. Owens
Dr. Douglas T. Owens is an Associate Professor of Music, the F. Ludwig Diehn Endowed Chair of Instrumental Music Education, Graduate Program Director, and a past Chairperson of the Old Dominion University Diehn School of Music. He earned the Doctor of Arts degree in Music with emphasis in Music Education and Jazz Pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado in 2003. Dr. Owens earned the Master of Music in trumpet performance in 1986 and the Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1983, each from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has been an active music educator since 1983.
At ODU, Dr. Owens directs the Jazz Orchestra and teaches multiple courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is a former Chairperson of the University Massachusetts Dartmouth Department of Music, taught at the University of Southern Maine School of Music, and has been a music educator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Wisconsin and California. He continues to serve as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator of wind ensembles, concert bands and jazz ensembles.
Dr. Owens has presented research at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the national meetings of the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education, the National Hearing Conservation Association, the Health Promotion in Schools of Music conference, the Performing Arts Medicine Association, and the music educators association meetings of Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, and Colorado. Dr. Owens has published research in the Medical Problems of Performing Artists, the National Band Association Journal and The Instrumentalist. His recent
book chapter, Interactive Composing in School Jazz Ensembles appears in The Oxford Handbook of Music Composition Pedagogy. His chapter on music entrepreneurship appears in the book Disciplining the Arts: Teaching Entrepreneurship in Context.
Dr. Owens is a former lead trumpeter of the Portland Jazz Orchestra and appears on the 2009 recording Nor’easter. He is a past member of the Virginia Wind Symphony and the Norumbega Brass. As the lead trumpeter of the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab Band I, Dr. Owens performed with Bob Brookmeyer, Deborah Brown, Maria Schneider, Nicholas Payton, Conrad Herwig, and Brian Lynch.
Michele Fernández
Michele Fernández is an active clinician/guest conductor, composer and performer. Her original works for jazz and wind ensemble are available through Hal Leonard, Excelcia/Kendor, Doug Beach, JW Pepper, Print Music Source/Jazz Zone, and Michele Fernández/GiraSoul Music. Her works have been performed (as well as clinics presented) at Midwest, CBDNA, JEN, IAJE, various MEA’s All-State/Regional bands. Michele serves ensembles of all ages across the country through virtual or in-person clinics and Artist-inResidence events.
She recently retired from teaching after 30 years, where her Miami Senior High ensembles earned top honors and gained international acclaim despite being a Title One school with practically no resources. Her groups have been selected for appearances at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 & ’98), IAJE (Boston ’94, NY ’97), Montreux Jazz Fest (Switzerland ’96), FMEA and national publications. Michele has featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”, Band Director’s Guide and Downbeat Magazine. She has also taught SPED, ESOL, HS English and Chemistry. Before focusing on writing, she served as an oboist in the Miami area, and spent several years as a rhythm section member of a busy local Afro-Latin/Jazz ensemble.
As a clinician/composer: Michele views writing and clinics as an opportunity to discuss important aspects of life while also focusing on the art form of performance, and in so doing, to help others gain more self-confidence and an increased awareness of compassion for others that will lead to success in all areas of life.