Jefferson High will be well represented when the State High School Music Festival is held in Missoula May 5 and 6. More than 30 JHS musicians in a variety of events earned their way to the state competition with outstanding performances at the district music festival in Anaconda over the weekend.
The renowned JHS drumline, percussion ensemble and jazz band will be joined on the University of Montana campus by vocalists and individual or small ensemble instrumentalists for the competition.
In a twist unusual for a small school such as JHS, two violinists – Jillian Norris and Taylor Peterson – will each be performing solo for the judges. Both violinists will demonstrate their broad range of musical talents, as well, with Norris, joined by Brooke Atkinson, competing in solo vocals and Peterson taking part in the percussion ensemble and the drumline.
Flutists Emme Rosenbaum and partner Jadyn Bellander will bring their flute duet to the competition, and fellow flutist Jessie Molitor will be solo before the judges. Another instrumental soloist, Kaela Rosenbaum will perform her saxophone solo. She will also take the spotlight with the jazz band.
Members of the JHS jazz band are Lexi Winstead, Samantha Demartin, Kaela Rosenbaum, Quinn Mann, Carsen Dodge, Jered Sullivan, Millie Elbert, Derek Nygaard, Kylie Marks, Ethan Smartnick, Meagan Graber, Carter McCauley, Breanna Rykal, Samuel Williams, Brailynn Demers, and Andy Johnson.
Making up the percussion ensemble are Montana Trujillo, Samantha Demartin, Taylor Peterson, Cameron Troxell, Carter McCauley, Emma Stout, and Josiah Williams. The JHS drumline is comprised of Josiah Williams, Taylor Peterson, Kylie Marks, Carter McCauley, and Coen Guisti. The musicians are guided by JHS music director Matt Bowman.
