Marin School of the Arts Big Band and two of the three small group combos took top honors at the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival this past weekend, the largest jazz festival in Northern California. Competing against over 75 schools from Eureka to Fresno, Marin School of the Arts Big Band won a coveted “Command Performance” with nearly perfect scores from the three judges. Two of the three MSA combos earned Unanimous Superior scores as well. James Perdelwitz, MSA Tenor Sax player, was given the highest individual award at the festival -- a $1,000 scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music Summer Program.

Students also took home a number of individual awards for Outstanding Musicianship. Three special recognition certificates were given to Joey Schneider for trumpet, flugelhorn and composition. Individual awards were also given to James Perdelwitz, Tenor Sax; Lizzie Roth, piano; James Harmon, guitar; Erin Greenwell, jazz vocal; and John Howe, Alto Sax (Novato High School).

Mark Peabody, Founder of Marin School of the Arts said, “We were thrilled to have had such as strong performance at the festival again this year. I was especially happy that the combos did so well, with two of the three earning the top award and the third combo achieving a Superior and Excellent score.”

Both the Marin School of the Jazz Combo I and Combo III, earned “Unanimous Superior” scores, and performed several original compositions written by the students.

MSA Combo III included Nick de Ryss (drums), James Harmon (guitar), Jason Mauch (bass), Tim Roth (flute) and Lizzie Roth (piano). This combo was given high marks for their performance of an original composition by Director Mark Peabody, entitled “Cancion Mi Sueno.”

MSA Combo I is made up of five musicians, including Joey Schneider (trumpet and flugelhorn), Mason Bretan (drums), Lizzie Roth (piano), John Dalmau (Bass) and James Perdelwitz (Alto Sax). The group performed two original compositions written by group member Joey Schneider. Schneider, who at age 15, first won the ASCAP composers award for people between the ages of 14 and 30, and earned the same award again this year, took three individual awards for Outstanding Musicianship.

San Jose Middle School, directed by Rita Zigas, also earned a Command Performance at the festival – repeating their strong performances of the past.

Next up for MSA is the Reno Jazz Festival on April 21 through 24, which has over three hundred bands from 7 states competing. Mark Peabody, Director and Founder, believes that the students will be well-prepared. “We tried out several new selections at Santa Cruz this year, and with a little fine-tuning, should do very well in Reno. This will be our toughest challenge as the Reno Festival attracts top bands from across the Western United States,” Peabody says.

Marin School of the Arts (MSA) Chamber music students earned a record seven Command Performances at the California Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Festival at Sonoma State University last weekend. This was the most Command Performances earned by any school participating in the festival.

Students receiving Command Performances included Sarah Bayless (Flute), Tim Roth (Flute), Lizzie Roth (Piano), Laura Sisk (Oboe), Jessica Skelton (Clarinet), Josh Voeltz (Flute), and Audrey Williams (Clarinet). In addition to the Command Performances, six students earned Superior Performances including, Phoebe Sanderbeck (Flute), Rebecca Kopulski (Flute), Nikki Hofeditz (Flute), Ali Rucker (Flute), Lily Rahnavard (Flute) and Drew Shreffler (French Horn).

Garrett Michaelsen, who directs the MSA Chamber Group, said the judges were impressed with the amazing string of performances by his students. “The Judges were effusive in their praise of the talent of these students. What impressed them most was the sheer number of MSA performers who achieved the Command Performance distinction,” said Michaelsen.

Two Command performances were also earned by San Jose Middle School students directed by Rita Zigas, and a Command Performance was earned by the women's vocal quartet from San Marin High School under the direction of Emily Gates.

Numerous solo awards were given to MSA performers by the Folsom Jazz Festival judges. James Harmon (guitar) and Joey Schneider (trumpet) each received two solo awards. In addition, solo awards were given to Mason Bretan (drums), Kenny Eckhardt (guitar), Robinson Gunderson (trumpet), John Howe (alto saxophone), and Lizzie Roth (piano). MSA Founder Mark Peabody said, “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of these MSA and NHS musicians. Folsom Jazz Festival is very competitive and attracts the top bands in the state. Both Novato High and MSA’s performances in music and choir last weekend was a tribute to the hard work and talent of these students,” he added.

Solo awards were also given to soloists for the Novato High School (“NHS”) Jazz Choir. Courtney Eggert and Anna Wise both received awards for solo performances.

Lorraine Alborzvar (tenor saxophone) of the NHS Jazz Band also received a solo award.

MSA & NHS Drama & Musical Theater Department Take Top Honors at Lenaea Festival
MSA Musical Theater Department Receives the Highest Honor, a Command Performance,
for “Trial By Jury.” High Scores Also Received for Monologues and a Duet.

The Marin School of the Arts (MSA) & Novato High School (NHS) Drama and Musical Theater Department participated in the Lenaea Drama Festival on January 28-30. The Lenaea Festival, one of the largest high school theatre festivals of its kind in the nation, was hosted by Sacramento State University.

The MSA Musical Theater received the festival’s highest honor, a Command Performance on Sunday, January 30, for “Trial By Jury” a cantata by Gilbert and Sullivan. In addition, Erica Britton & Chase Mullins received a Superior score for their scene from “Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead” by Tom Stoppard. Dr. Ken Gartner, MSA Musical Theater Director praised the work of his students. “These are an extremely talented group of performers, and their work at the festival clearly demonstrated that. Our community and school district should be very proud these students,” commented Dr. Gartner.

Scores of Excellent for monologues were received by Winston Friedman, Brigitte Johnson, Alissa Lund and Jen Schuster. MSA Theater Arts Director David Sinaiko was elated by his students’ success: “The Novato Unified School District has boldly fostered this arts program in the face of draconian cuts, and the results speak for themselves: Talented, self-possessed, young performers who are learning to excel at their art. I couldn’t be happier.”