Whiz Kid(s): The Mercer Island High School Jazz Ensemble

We are so happy to give a shout-out to this week's Whiz Kid(s): the Mercer Island High School Jazz Ensemble who have had much success this year and who, according to director David Bentley, strike a "pretty amazing balance of sincere care and concern for each other, interest in the music and they make sure they're doing the work, that they're accountable for their performance." Congratulations to all the students who make up the Mercer Island Jazz Ensemble!

Mercer Island Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: 

• Name, Age: Mercer Island Jazz Ensemble
• Class, School:  Mercer Island High School
• Accomplishment:  Recently took first place in the The Newport High School Jazz Festival (an adjudicated, competitive festival) on March 19 and brought home 3 trophys, including 1st place, from the Jazz Northwest Festival in Spokane which ran from March 25-27.
• Why this is Awesome:  We decided to go right to the source for this one, this is what a few of the Jazz Ensemble students had to say about what makes their recent accomplishments awesome:

Daniel Rowe, Senior, trumpet: "I came in thinking we were the underdogs. They were all such great bands that we respect a lot.  None of us were expecting it. It made all those sectionals, hours of practicing before school, after school, during lunch--it made it all completely worth it, without a doubt."

Haley Lepp, Senior, trumpet: "The fact that we were just having fun. It definitely reflects the whole band program--it's not a competitive program."

Annalise King, Sophomore, trombone: "Getting recognition for having fun--'cause that's what jazz is about!"

James Wilson, Sophomore, bass trombone: "I thought it was great. Not just the jazz ensemble won, but the whole Mercer Island music program won--I think that's great."

You can catch the MIHS Jazz Ensemble live at their next performance on April 12 at the .