District Status: Schools closed through 5/1; FWCS Offices closed 3/23-4/10 Snider Jazz Band invited to play in Indy

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Record Number: 4887
Displayed from: Mar 11, 2009 , until: Apr 11, 2009

Jazz bands from North Side, Northrop and Snider high schools placed among the top of those participating the Ball State Jazz Festival on March 2. The Snider High School Wind Machine was named the Top Honor Band and was invited to perform in the evening concert with the Ball State Jazz Band. The Top Honor designation also earned the Wind Machine an invitation to perform at the Indy Jazz Festival on June 28 with $1,000 for travel expenses. The Snider Jazz Combo #1 was named the top combo of the competition. Northrop's Jazz Band #1 placed second and the North Side Wildsiders placed third in their competitions. Individually, Tyler Scott from Snider won the Frank Mantooth Award as the best overall soloist in his competition. Kale Okeson from Snider won a half-tuition scholarship to the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp. Jordan West from Snider won a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Indianapolis' Combo Camp. Other award winners include Ian McComb on lead trumpet from North Side; Quinton Arkwright on vibraphone from North Side; Melissa Smith on trumpet from Northrop; Phil Janz on trombone from Northrop; Jessie Gaze on bass from Northrop; Roshan Parikh on lead trumpet from Snider; Som Amphonephong on trombone from Snider; and Jordan West on drums from Snider.


With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.