Agoura students are exemplary

I am sure you are well aware of the representation of your Agoura High School in New York City over the last long weekend.

Your high school Jazz Band A participated in the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Contest. I had the pleasure of hosting and working with this fine group of students all week.

I want to let all of you know how great they represented your high school. These students were unbelievable. They performed with so much talent and had great sportsmanship, as well as spirit and love for what they were doing. After they performed at Rose Hall they were given a standing ovation by the majority of the other competing students and members of the world renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis.

They obviously proved they were among the top high school jazz programs in the country. With over 950 eligible bands for the competition they placed fourth, which is truly amazing.

You should be proud of your students. They have influenced myself and others this past weekend. Just talking about them excites me.

There is something going on in your music department which is a model for schools across the country. The world would be a better place if every school had the talent and love for the music that your students do. Jono Gasparro Miami University Oxford, Ohio