Souhegan High School Represented in NH All-State Jazz Festival

Submitted by Kathie Nunley.

Three Souhegan High School students performed in the New Hampshire All-State Jazz Festival held last week at the Pinkerton Academy in Derry.  Each year the event presents the state's very best high school jazz musicians in an evening concert.

Representing Souhegan were sophomore Kole Nunley, trombone, in the All-State Honors Jazz band; senior Stefan Falkenstein, trumpet in the All-State Jazz Band; and junior Jason Emmond, string bass in the All-State Honors Jazz Choir.

The Jazz Festival concert was rescheduled from its original date February 9, postponed due to a blizzard that closed airports. Conductor Gregory Yasinitsky, a respected jazz arranger based in Washington state, made the return trip to conduct the Honors Jazz Band.

Souhegan band director, Carl Benevides, engineered sound for the concert.

Students from high schools across New Hampshire prepared and auditioned for the prestigious group last fall.  Twenty one students were selected for the Jazz Band and nineteen were chosen for the Honors Jazz Band. This year's fall auditions were hosted by Souhegan High School.