News Archives 2002-2003

J.P. Taravella High School
Band & Orchestra

News Archive 2002-2003

Congratulations to the members of the Wind Orchestra and the Wind Symphony for receiveing STRAIGHT SUPERIORS at the State Music Assessment. This is the first time in the history of Broward County that a high school has taken two bands to State and received Straight Superiors! To listen to recordings of the two bands, click on the Audio link on the left hand column of this page.

Congratulations to Zach Redler, who was asked to perform at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. for a banquet sponsored by the Florida House for the Governor, the two Florida Senators, and representatives.

Congratulations to those Band & Orchestra members who were awarded Grand Champions at the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Fiesta-Val Music Competition. JPT's Bands, Orchestras, and Jazz Ensemble each won their individual categories, contributing to the Grand Championship. JPT won every category it entered. In addition, several individual students were recognized as outstanding soloists, the JPT Brass and Woodwind sections were recognized as being the best in the competition, and Mr. Neil Jenkins was recognized with a Directors Award.

Congratulations to Kristin Almond and Zach Redler for receiving a "Future of the Arts" scholarship.

Congratulations to the JPT Winter Guard, who finished 4th place at the SFWGA Championships. We are very proud of you ladies!

J.P. Taravella High School's Music Department has been selected as a Grammy Signature School by the Grammy Foundation.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!! Once again the Florida Legislature is considering a proposal that could spell doom for the Fine Arts. Find out more about how you can help by visiting this site.

Congratulations to the following members who were selected to the All-County Honors Band: Maho Azuma (Flute), Kevin Pearl (Oboe), Megan Ziobro (Oboe), Nyssa Silbiger (Oboe), Mandy Short (Oboe), Kristin Almond (Clarinet), Andrew Penn-Giannettino (Clarinet), Kerry Regan (Clarinet), Taiki Azuma (Alto Sax), Mark Shatzkin (Tenor Sax), Nina Dvora (Trumpet), Evan Orlowsky (Trumpet), Lyle Kossis (Trumpet), Galen Spikes (Trumpet), Nicole de la Cal (Horn), Erica Silbiger (Horn), Cecilia Yudin (Horn), Geoff Rabinowitz (Horn), Amy Alger (Horn), Matt Villa (Trombone), Jamie Castillo (Euphonium), Adam Kol (Tuba), Andrew Leitch (Tuba), Greg Stansel (Tuba), Zach Redler (Percussion), Sal Picataggio (Percussion), and Mike Valeriotti (Percussion). JPT had 27 members selected, the most in the county. In addition, JPT had 7 members selected as first chair. Congratulations to the aforementioned members, and keep making us proud.

Congratulations to the JPT Wind Orchestra, the JPT Wind Symphony, and the JPT String Orchestra for receiving a rating of SUPERIOR at their respective District 15 Assessments. In addition, the JPT Symphonic Band received a rating of EXCELLENT. The Wind Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and String Orchestra are now qualified for State Festival.

Congrats to the JPT Winter Guard for their second place finish at the SFWGA Taravella Show...our girls finished only 2 tenths away from first place.

Congratulations to Zach Redler for winning the First Lady's Arts Recogniton Scholarship. Zach was one of only two winners in Broward County.

Solo & Ensemble Results are now posted. Congratulations to all who participated!

Congratulations to the JPT Jazz Ensemble and the JPT Fusion Ensemble for their outstanding performances at the District 15 Jazz Performance Assessment. The Jazz Ensemble received a rating of Superior, while the Fusion Ensemble received a rating of Excellent.

Exciting News! The J.P. Taravella Band Program is proud to announce that it has commissioned composer Donald Grantham to write a concert overture for the JPT Wind Orchestra, to be finished sometime in the Fall of 2003/Spring 2004. Donald Grantham is the winner of the 1999 and 2000 ABA-Ostwald Composition Award, and the 1995, 1998 and 1999 NBA Revelli Memorial Composition Contest. For more information on Donald Grantham, check this link and check back for updates on this exciting bit of news.

Congratulations to the following people for their selection to the South Florida Honors Band: Lauren Ackerman (Tuba), Amy Alger (French Horn), Kristin Almond (Clarinet), Taiki Azuma (Alto Sax), Nicole de la Cal (French Horn), Adam Kol (Tuba), Aaron Levith (Percussion), Evan Orlowsky (Trumpet), Kevin Pearl (Oboe), Andrew Penn-Giannettino (Clarinet), Zach Redler (Percussion), Kerry Regan (Clarinet), and Cecilia Yudin (French Horn).

Congratulations to the following people for their selection to the All-County Jazz Ensemble: Evan Orlowsky (Trumpet), Nina Dvora (Trumpet), Lyle Kossis (Trumpet), Matt Villa (Trombone), David Zand (Guitar), Adam Kol (Piano).

Congratulations to the JPT Marching Band for their 22nd consecutive SUPERIOR rating at the FBA District Marching Evaluation. The kids were wonderful in every way, and put on a SUPERIOR performance.

Congratulations to the following people for their selection to All-State Band and Orchestra: Kristin Almond (Clarinet), Taiki Azuma (Alto Saxophone), Alice Chao (Violin), Nicole de la Cal (Horn), Nina Dvora (Trumpet), Mitch Friedman (Bass), Josh Halberg (Viola), Adam Kol (Tuba), Lyle Kossis (Trumpet), Andrew Leitch (Tuba), Elaine Li (Violin), Rachael Mathey (Violin), Kevin Pearl (Oboe), Andrew Penn-Giannetino (Clarinet), Zach Redler (Percussion), Kerry Regan (Clarinet), Andrew Rogers (Percussion), Mandy Short (Oboe), Cecilia Yudin (French Horn), David Zand (Guitar-Jazz Band), and Megan Ziobro (Oboe). JPT had 16 members selected from the band, and 5 from the Orchestra, a new record for both groups. This was also the third-highest total in the state, and the highest in the county.

GOLF TOURNAMENT!!! For the first time in over 10 years, the J.P. Taravella Band & Orchestra will be hosting a Golf Tournament to raise funds for the general operation of the program. For all the details, please visit our Golf Tournament Page.

GRAND CHAMPIONS! The JPT Marching Trojans performed at the Vero Beach Crown Jewel Contest this past Saturday, 19 October, placing 1st in the Diamond Class at the Preliminary competition, and winning Grand Champion at the evening Finals Competition. The performance of the students was amazing, and everyone involved has made the Directors very VERY proud to be associated with such high-caliber young men and women CONGRATULATIONS to all members of the JPT Marching Trojans! To chat about the Grand Championship, or to offer your congratulations, please visit our Message Board or our Guestbook

CONGRATULATIONS to the following members of the JPT Band & Orchestra for their selection to the Broward All-County Orchestra: Alice Chao (Violin), Elaine Li (Violin), Rachael Mathey (Violin), Jacceleny Beltran (Violin), Jungmin Lee (Violin), Josh Halberg (Viola), Justin McGeary (Viola), Chelsea Hepler (Viola), Jacob Halberg (Viola), Marti Lobos (Viola), Julia Pires (Cello), Mitch Friedman (Bass), Kevin Pearl (Oboe), Mandy Short (Oboe), Kristin Almond (Clarinet), Andrew Penn-Giannetinno (Clarinet), Evan Orlowsky (Trumpet), Nina Dvora (Trumpet), Nicole de la Cal (Horn), Cecilia Yudin (Horn), Erica Silbiger (Horn), Amy Alger (Horn), Matt Villa (Trombone), Adam Kol (Trombone), Lauren Ackerman (Tuba), Zach Redler (Percussion), Sal Picataggio (Percussion), Nicole Marcus (Percussion), and Andrew Rogers (Percussion). Taravella had the most members selected of any school. In addition, Alice, Josh, Mitch, Kevin, Kristin, Nicole, Lauren, and Zach were all 1st chair. Congratulations to all!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following members of the JPT Band for their selection to the USF Festival of Winds Honor Ensembles: Lauren Ackerman (Tuba), Adam Kol (Tuba), Andrew Penn-Giannetinno (Clarinet), and Sal Picataggio (Percussion).

CONGRATULATIONS to the following members of the JPT Band for their selection to the FSU Tri-State Festival: Kristin Almond (Clarinet), Nicole de la Cal (Horn), Katie Jenkins (Contrabass Clarinet), and Zach Redler (Percussion).

The JPT Band performed on the NBC Today Show with Al Roker on Friday, 27 September. Despite a report time of 3:45a.m. and a few sprinkles, the kids performed wonderfully, and were enjoyed by all in attendance, surprising most everybody with their enthusiasm, musicianship, and professionalism. We are all very proud of our JPT members!

The JPT Band is looking for a used 24-foot truck that it can customize and use to transport equipment to and from football games and contests. We cannot spend much, so we are looking for either donations or sponsorships to help make this a reality. If you have any contacts that may be able to help us find an inexpensive truck that is in good shape, please contact us via email or phone ASAP (contact info is at the bottom of this page).