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Jazz Ensemble Earned Straight Superior Ratings

Jazz Ensemble Earned Straight Superior Ratings

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The American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, fine arts department, celebrated a historic achievement at the recent Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Jazz Music Performance Assessments (MPA). The event took place at Park Vista High School, where our jazz ensemble performed for a panel of professional adjudicators. The group secured a Straight Superior rating, which is the highest possible score a musical ensemble can receive in the state of Florida.

A "Straight Superior" indicates that every judge on the panel provided a top-grade evaluation of the ensemble's performance. The rating accounted for technical accuracy, rhythmic precision, and the overall "swing" feel essential to high-level jazz. The students spent months refining their repertoire, and this unanimous result proved their mastery of the genre.

While the ensemble functioned as a cohesive unit, the judges also recognized individual students for their exceptional improvisational skills. Two featured soloists received "Outstanding" honors for their contributions:

  • Jordan Zubkoff (Alto Sax): recognized for technical skill and melodic creativity
  • Gerald Williams (Trumpet): commended for tone quality and high-energy performance

These individual accolades added to the group's success, as both musicians helped elevate the overall impact of the program's setlist. The school community congratulated the students and their directors on this accomplishment, which set a positive tone for the remainder of the spring performance season.

Jazz Ensemble

  • Jordan Zubkoff - Alto Sax I
  • Dawson Pults - Alto Sax II
  • Rachel Miller - Alto Sax II
  • Brandon Peterson - Tenor Sax I
  • Elizabeth Justus- Tenor Sax II
  • Rory Boswell - Bari Sax
  • Ayden Pults - Trumpet I 
  • Andrew Hallums - Trumpet II
  • Gerald Williams - Trumpet III
  • Aaron Jacques - Trumpet IV
  • Estefan Figareau - Trombone 
  • Carter Schneiberg & Lewis Hill - Vibes
  • Jonah Scovronik & Mark Bedoya- Piano
  • Aylah Bright - Bass
  • Om Dave - Drum Set