CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Student musicians from two Jefferson County Schools earned the state's top honor this year. Jazz Ensembles at Harpers Ferry Middle School and Washington High School were selected as 2023 West Virginia State Honor Jazz Bands.
The students will travel to Charleston to perform at the WV Music Educators Association Conference on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Director of Bands at Washington High School Lisa Hazlett said they have had to work fast to prepare.
"I've spoken to some of our wonderful band directors in Jefferson County Schools who have earned this honor in the past, and they have shared some best practices for logistics with me," Hazlett said.
Hazlett said this is the first state accolade for the WHS Instrumental Music Department, and it speaks to the dedication of the students.
"This is an amazing accomplishment for our talented jazz musicians," she said.
Band Director at Harpers Ferry Middle School Charles Wall agreed and said it is a huge honor for the students who work hard to balance a demanding schedule.
"Our students are very excited to represent West Virginia at the WV State Music Educators Convention. They spend so much time practicing throughout the year, and excel in academics as well as music."
This is the fourth time Harpers Ferry Middle School has been selected as a WV Honor Jazz Band. The honor concert is at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in the Little Theater at 8 pm.
| WHS 2023 Jazz Ensemble | HFMS 2023 Jazz Ensemble |
| Eric Brady | Aiden Bauer |
| Lydia Brown | Caeley Trujillo |
| Amelia Dardaris | Liam Hall |
| Becky McGivern | Payton Schneble |
| Jacob Perkowski | Alexa Stone |
| Nathan Trimmer | Wren Rice |
| Josh Molina | Keating Amos |
| Harper Broomall | Sean Wagner |
| Seth Vorhauer | Alex Bartlett |
| Eashan Hatti | Georgia Hennigan |
| Ben Caltrider | Ryan Martinez |
| Jacob Perkowski | Even Meley |
| Becky McGivern | McKenna Kells |
| Patrick Hazlett | Aurora Jackson |
| Gavin Frazier | Kaylie Toth |
| Rhett Snyder | Hollyn Rossi |
| Nick Sakole | Naia Prevatil |
| Jonathan Hartzell | Clara Adams |
| Mason Bennett | Illa Sapatsko |
| William Carr | Makenna Stovall |
| Madison LaVigne | Thad Jackson |
| Emilio Perez-Diggs | Harrison Garrett |
| Lauren Rossi | August Thompson |
| Maddox Showen | Zane Lambert |
| Lucas Vega Leon | Anna Lassen |