Presque Isle Middle School to host jazz festival

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Looking for something that will put a little extra pep in your step?
Eleven groups representing six Aroostook County communities will be participating in next week’s Aroostook County Instrumental Jazz Festival.
     According to Pat Bragdon, band/vocal music instructor at Presque Isle Middle School, the annual jazz festival will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the PIMS Auditorium.
“We have middle school and high school jazz bands performing,” said Bragdon. “Each band will perform in 20-minute blocks and everybody usually plays three different jazz-related songs.”
“All the area music teachers had a fall meeting and we decided where it would be,” he said. “There isn’t a rotating schedule … we just decide where it will work best for everyone. This will be the second consecutive year it’s been held at our school.
“It’s kind of nice having it at a central location,” said Bragdon. “Houlton has to travel an hour and Fort Kent an hour. Years ago, we all had to travel to Fort Kent which is a long trek to perform for 20 minutes.”
The jazz festival is not a competition, but all groups will receive a rating.
“Bands have to score a 74 or above to go onto the state competition,” Bragdon said. “If they don’t score that, they don’t go on. There are two judges who will be listening, so the kids will want to do their best.”
The high school state jazz festival will be held March 16-17 at Stearns High School, while the middle school competition will be held March 24 in Westbrook.
Bragdon said the Aroostook County Instrumental Jazz Festival is a good way to hear great talent.
“Aroostook County jazz groups have been known to be some of the top groups in the state,” he said, “and it’s really surprising to see what these kids can do at this age level.
“It’s also a chance to see kids doing something else besides sports,” said Bragdon, noting that his jazz band has been rehearsing twice a week to prepare for next week’s festival.
Jazz bands participating in the festival include Houlton High School Jazz Ensemble (3:45 p.m.), MSSM Jazz Band (4:10 p.m.), Houlton Junior High Jazz Band (4:35 p.m.), Fort Fairfield Jazz COMBO (5 p.m.), Fort Kent Middle School Jazz Band (5:25 p.m.), Fort Fairfield Jazz Band (5:50 p.m.), Caribou Middle School Jazz Band (6:45 p.m.), Presque Isle Middle School Jazz Band (7:10 p.m.), Caribou High School Jazz COMBO (7:35 p.m.), Presque Isle High School Jazz Band (8 p.m.), and Caribou High School Jazz Band (8:25 p.m.).
Admission will be $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. Proceeds will benefit the Presque Isle Music Boosters.