BOSTON — This year marks the 27th year of the Berklee Jazz Festival held in Boston and the nearly three decades that Fryeburg Academy’s award-winning music program has participated in the prestigious event. 2019 also marks the end of an era for the festival: after 51 years of operation by Berklee College of Music, the college announced the festival’s suspension this year to reallocate funds toward financial aid.

“As an alumna of Berklee College of Music, I’m sad to see that the decision to suspend the festival has been made,” said FA’s Music Director Mimi Rohlfing. “I’ve loved sharing this amazing place with my students, and I know our students have looked forward to the constructive critique, camaraderie and the bounty of astounding music they can consume in that one special day. However, I love change. Both Mr. Sakash and I see it as an opportunity to expose our students to new musical and cultural experiences in the future.”

At this year’s Berklee Jazz Festival, several Fryeburg Academy students received recognition for outstanding performances: Georgia Stafford ‘19 earned the Judges’ Choice Award for her vocal jazz ensemble performance, and the ensemble received an Outstanding Musicianship Award for the school’s division. Matt Gunther ‘20 and Simon St. Pierre ‘21 also received Judges’ Choice Awards for their instrumental performances in the New Standard Combo and Fryeburg Academy Big Band.

“The Fryeburg Academy Big Band played extremely well and rated sixth among some of the best high school big bands in the country,” said Mike Sakash, Arts Department chair at FA. “Our jazz ensembles and combos are off to a great start this year and we are anxious to refine our repertoire in preparation for Maine’s district and state jazz festivals.”

FA students who were named to the District II Honors Choral Festival that performed on Feb. 1 in Cumberland were Ayanna Ward ‘22, Alanceiah Waiters ‘20 (who featured a solo for the second year in a row), McKenna McGrath ‘19, Sharlah-Mae Day ‘21, Grace Marshall ‘21, David Marshall ‘21.

FA students who were named to the District II Honors Jazz Band and Choir to be hosted by Yarmouth High School on April 1 are Georgia Stafford ‘19 (top alto in the district for the 2nd year in a row), Alanceiah Waiters ‘19, Taylor Gunther ‘22, Arvin Ma ‘20, Brendan Simkins ‘21, and Simon St. Pierre ‘21 (first chair alto saxophone for the district).

“It’s a big accomplishment to be named to District II,” concluded Rohlfing. “The district is very large and includes schools like Gould Academy and the towns of Lewiston, Auburn, as well as Falmouth and Greely. Students from a large portion of the state compete to earn places in these ensembles.”

Vocal Jazz Ensemble’s rhythm section with soloist Alancieah Waiters and horn section.
From left are: Yukon King, Jaden Fierman, Matthew Gunther, Brendan Simkins, Simon St. Pierre, Waiters, Patrick Malia.

Georgia Stafford, ‘19, soloist with FA’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Silvia Sanchez Serra, ‘19, performs with FA’s Big Band.

FA Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.”