Marlborough High School Students perform at Newport Jazz Festival

MARLBOROUGH, MA—Since 2013, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association’s All-State Jazz Band has appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. Featuring the best students from around the state, the MMEA All-State Jazz Band is presented at Boston’s Symphony Hall during MMEA’s annual all-state festival. This year, two Marlborough High School jazz ensemble musicians, Justin Bartlett and Matthew Pearl, were invited to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival, said an announcement.

This year, Bartlett and Pearl were accepted into the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All State Jazz Ensemble, a significant achievement with only 18 students chosen.

Bartlett, a 2017 MHS graduate, plays the Alto Sax, and Matthew Pearl, a junior at MHS, plays the tenor sax. Gary Piazza, MHS band director said in a statement, “I couldn’t be prouder of these two dedicated musicians. It is an incredible honor that both Justin and Matt were selected to perform at the 2017 summer Newport Jazz Festival with the renowned conductor Ron Carter.”

Ronald Carter, Professor Emeritus from Northern Illinois University, is a nationally known and regularly requested guest conductor, artist and clinician. He is an American jazz double bassist. Appearing on 2,221 recording sessions, Carter is the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. Carter spent many years in the St. Louis metropolitan area as an educator and musician on saxophone, clarinet, flute and vocalist.

Marlborough High School’s vibrant music program guided by Jonathan Rosenthal, Music Coordinator for grades K – 12, continues to shine earning the district accolades and awards from national associations.

Information and photo submitted by Marlborough Public Schools