WILLIAMSBURG — Two high school students from Williamsburg-James City County Schools (WJCC Schools) competed to earn seats with the distinguished 2024-25 All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble.
The 2024-25 All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble is comprised of the top-performing high school jazz musicians from across the commonwealth.
High school students audition and qualify on their respective instruments competing with other students from across Virginia. The top students on each instrument are selected to participate in the All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble event in November as part of the Virginia Music Educators professional development conference.
At the Virginia event, students work with a nationally known clinician for an intensive weekend of rehearsal, culminating in a final performance. This year, Jamestown High School student David Rapach (bass trombone) and Lafayette High School student Isaac Guinn (trumpet) earned the honors.
Vincent Gardner, world-renowned lead trombonist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, was the guest clinician for this year’s event.
“We are thrilled two WJCC Schools high school musicians distinguished themselves this year and earned the experience of working with a world-renowned musician in addition to performing with other top high school musicians across Virginia,” said John Rasky, Williamsburg-James City County Schools coordinator of fine arts. “It’s quite an honor.”
The concert was held Thursday, Nov. 21 in Norfolk.
