Bands hit a high note

On Tues., June 13, the Las Virgenes Unified School District's Board of Education honored both the Agoura High and Calabasas High Jazz 'A' bands for their successful peformances at the recent Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New York.

The event included the top 15 high school jazz ensembles in North America competing for awards and recognition during the two days. More than 1,000 schools entered the competition, but only 100 were chosen to send in audition tapes.

Agoura and Calabasas were selected as two of the 15 bands to be chosen as finalists in the festival.

"It is really a blessing to have gone with Agoura," said Josh Barroll, Calabasas music director and former student of Agoura High music director John Mosely.

Mosely, whom Barroll called his mentor, said Calabasas gave a "sprited, energetic performance."

At the festival, both Agoura and Calabasas received numerous awards for outstanding soloists and sections.

Agoura received honorable mention awards for soloists Daniel Janklow on clarinet, Jordan Seigel on piano and Matt Bronstein on tuba. The school received honorable mention overall as the fourth place band.

Calabasas earned awards for soloists Shanley Wang on clarinet and piano, Mark Einhorn on alto saxophone, Shani Shousterman on piano and Mallory Glaser for vocals.

Calabasas also was recognized and awarded for its outstanding reed section.