The Marshfield High School Jazz Band competed recently at the Berklee Jazz Festival held yearly at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Always an exciting day, this Saturday in March was no exception.

The atmosphere this year for the ensemble was a little more relaxed than in past years where they had to be in Boston by 8:15 for a 9:00 am performance. This year their audition time was 11:15 with a warm-up time of 10:45. That allowed the students to sleep in a bit and in all, have a sharper performance.

They got started with a Thad Jones number, Big Dipper, and the band sounded fabulous. The contrast between their performance the week before at the MAJE Festival was huge. The critique they got from the Judges at that event helped them to make adjustments where needed and in all, give a better performance. Their second and third pieces, Manteca by Dizzy Gillespie and Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea were no less impressive

David Kaminski, the director of the band, said he felt the kids played very well.  They placed 8^th out of 16 schools and competed with schools throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. “We were put in a different division this year. Berklee placed us in something called L2, the L being for large band. We scored a 261 out of a possible 300.”

For the second year in a row, senior drummer Daniel Joyce received the “Judges Choice Award” as outstanding member of the ensemble. Dan, true to form, had to accept his award in his stocking feet – he never wears shoes when he plays, but who would know?

After the students perform, the real fun begins. The kids are allowed to spend the day going from performance to performance, checking out some of the best high school bands in the region. It’s a treat for these students who know and appreciate the tireless work that goes into being the best of the best.

Congratulations to Mr. Kaminski and all his talented students.