15 Musicians Qualify for State

Jesuit High School musicians turned in record-setting performances this past weekend at the District Solo & Ensemble competition. The Tigers, led by Jesuit's music director, Nina Wegmann, qualified 15 performers for State, the most in school history.

On Friday (Feb. 2) at Steinbrenner High School, the wind and percussion performers recorded 6 Superiors and 10 Excellent ratings.

On Saturday (Feb. 3) at Brandon High School, Jesuit's strings and piano performers achieved 9 Superior and 1 Excellent rating.

Those who recorded a Superior rating and advanced to State* are:
Freddie Brinson '19, marimba; Guilson Chua '19, guitar; Andrew Dansoh '19, violin; Adam Dieck '21, guitar; Drew Hanis '19, alto saxophone; Kegan Lovell '19, piano; Ricky Luaces '18, bassoon; Milo Paman '20, guitar; Joseph Ralston '19, violin; Carson Sutton '18, clarinet; Miggy Sumagang '21, snare drum; Ethan Valdez '19, guitar; Ajay Vander Werf '20, guitar; Jordan Vivero '18, piano.

Those who recorded an Excellent rating are:
Roberto Vazquez '21, trumpet; Nico Smyth '21, trumpet; Gio Taylor '20, flute; Kevin Beck-Perez '21, trombone; Sebastian Greenberg '20, French horn; *Michael McDonough '21, violin; John Michael Rodriguez '21, trumpet; Alex Good '19, marimba; Trumpet Trio – Ethan Sutton '18, Jake Greenwell '20, Alex Nunez '18; Trombone Quartet – Jack Wernet '19, Ethan Nunez '21, Edward Morrison '21, and Beck-Perez; Brass Quartet – Connor Close '19, trumpet; Morrison, baritone horn; Wernet, trombone; Rodriguez, trumpet.

*John Barreto '21 (marimba) also received a Superior rating. Typically, Superior ratings advance to State competition. However, other factors such as the difficulty level of the piece performed, are considered. Jesuit's 15th State qualifier was McDonough, who received an Excellent rating in violin.

The State competition for winds and percussion is March 22-24 at Lake Nona High School in Orlando (Jesuit will perform on one of those three days). The State competition strings and piano is April 7 at Brandon High School.