Mercer Island High School Jazz Band earns top award at Spokane festival

April 5, 2017 2:45 pm
The Mercer Island High School Jazz Band participated in a festival in Spokane recently, receiving the sweepstakes award. Photo courtesy of Craig Degginger/Mercer Island School District
The Mercer Island High School Jazz Band participated in a festival in Spokane recently, receiving the sweepstakes award. Photo courtesy of Craig Degginger/Mercer Island School District

Mercer Island High School received the sweepstakes award at the Mead Jazz Northwest festival held recently in Spokane.

The school took three bands to the festival, with Jazz 2 and Jazz 1 both selected for finals. Jazz 2 was awarded third place in the A/AA division and Jazz 1 was awarded first place in the 3A Division and honored with the Sweepstakes Award as the outstanding band of the day. Senior saxophonist Ben Stoops received an award as outstanding soloist.

“Congratulations to our talented students on their award-winning performances and their teacher, Dave Bentley,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “These are the kinds of experiences that will provide our students with lasting, positive memories of their high school years.”

The festival included clinics with top professional jazz players and educators.