Two TAHS Musicians Qualify for PMEA District Jazz Festival

Evan+Snyder+and+Jacob+Greene.

Steven Sessamen

Evan Snyder and Jacob Greene.

Tyrone junior Evan Snyder and sophomore Jacob Greene have been selected to compete at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 6 Jazz Festival on January 23rd through the 25th at the Altoona High School.

“I’m genuinely surprised about getting accepted into the band,” said Snyder, “the competition is tough and as cutthroat at gets for a bunch of music geeks!”

Tyrone has not sent students to the district Jazz Festival since 2014. It can be very competitive due to the small number of students that are selected. I’m very happy to be able to send students this year and proud of both of them

— David Hock

The Jazz Festival selects musicians from all of District 6, including Blair, Cambria, Somerset, and Bedford County.

The festival is divided into three ensembles of only 17 students, so the auditions are very competitive.

The musicians are given music to play, record, and submit. The video of the audition must include a clock in the background or foreground to show that the video wasn’t edited.

“Tyrone has not sent students to the district Jazz Festival since 2014. It can be very competitive due to the small number of students that are selected,” said Tyrone Band Director David Hock, “I’m very happy to be able to send students this year and proud of both of them.”

Greene has been selected as the drumset player for the second jazz band, and Snyder has been selected for the rule of lead trumpet player for the third jazz band to play.

“[I feel] pretty good; I got in the second band,” said Greene,” that means I had the second-best audition.”

The Jazz Festival Concert will be held at the Altoona High School Auditorium at 1 pm on January 25 in the Altoona High School’s auditorium. Tickets for the event are five dollars and the public is welcome to attend.