Young Artists Honored at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival
Wednesday, February 20 2008
Young student musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington were featured at the first day of the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. Elementary, middle and junior high schools students were the focus of the first day of student performances. The young musicians performed for adjudicators who provided feedback and critical evaluation of the groups’ performance. Groups selected as Adjudicators’ Choice were invited to perform at the afternoon Young Artists Concert in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center and received awards from festival sponsors. The first day of the jazz festival also featured clinics by jazz artists performing at the festival, including vocalist Sara Gazarek, jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein, trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and the Open World Russian All Stars, a group of young, Russian jazz artist. The student groups and soloists selected by adjudicators for recognition were: Elementary Band Adjudicators’ Choice Moscow, St. Mary’s/All City Elementary I: Nikki Crathorne and Joel Pals, directors Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Lewiston, Lewiston Elementary, Emily Wicks, director Middle School Band Adjudicators’ Choice Spokane, Wash., Northwood Middle School II, Lee Shook, director Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Bellevue, Wash., Tyee Middle School: Mark Wilbert, director Pullman, Wash., Lincoln Middle School, Joe Covill, director Junior High School Band Adjudicators’ Choice Spokane, Wash., Northwood Middle School I: Lee Shook, director Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Yakima, Wash., West Valley Junior High School, Maegan Ley, director Pullman, Wash., Lincoln Middle School II, Joe Covill, director Junior Combo Adjudicators’ Choice Eagle, ArtsWest, Justin Nielson, director Mead, Wash., Mead Middle School, Bryan Swenland, director Adjudicators’ Special Commendation West Richland, Wash., Enterprise Middle School, Mike Bryan, director Elementary School Vocal Ensemble Adjudicators’ Choice Moscow, St. Mary’s/All-City, Nikki Crathorne and Joel Pals, directors Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Pullman, Wash., Franklin Elementary, Theresa Meacham, director Lewiston, McSorley Elementary, Angie O’Brien, director Junior High School Vocal Ensemble Adjudicators’ Choice Seattle, Wash., King’s Junior High School, Darla Pumphrey, director Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Moscow, Moscow Junior High School, Joel Pals, director Lewiston, Nova Vox, Julie Burke, director Middle School Choir Adjudicators’ Choice Spokane, Wash., St. George’s School, David Demand, director Adjudicator’s Special Commendation Coeur d’Alene, Canfield Middle School, Pamela Bright, director Sandpoint, Sandpoint Middle School: Jon Brownell, director Alto Vocal Solo Adjudicators’ Choice Lewiston, Samantha Hanchett, Sacajawea Junior High School Soprano Vocal Solo Adjudicators’ Choice Seattle, Wash., Tatiana Peterson, King’s Junior High School Rhythm Instrument Solo Adjudicators’ Choice Eagle, Alex Sjobeck, ArtsWest, piano Woodwind Solo Adjudicators’ Choice Oakesdale, Wash., Michael Conklin, Oakesdale School, tenor saxophone The four soloists, Samantha Hanchett, Tatiana Peterson, Alex Sjobeck and Michael Conklin were invited to perform at Hamp’s Club, a new feature at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. The students performed in a special, jazz club-like setting following the festival’s “New Orleans is in the House” evening concert.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.