Washington Street School’s Jazz Band recently took center stage at the prestigious Long Island Music Festival, held at Suffolk County Community College on May 28.
Under the direction of band director Jason O’Connor, the 57-member ensemble proudly represented Franklin Square alongside elementary, middle and high school music groups from across Long Island. The annual festival offers student musicians the opportunity to perform before professional adjudicators who evaluate their musical performance and artistry while providing valuable feedback.
Following months of rehearsals and preparation leading up to the school’s spring concert season, the Jazz Band eagerly embraced the opportunity to perform in a competitive adjudication setting. Their dedication, discipline and passion for music were evident as they delivered two outstanding selections for the judges.
The ensemble earned a coveted Superior Rating, the festival’s highest distinction. The band received exceptional scores of 94 and 97 out of 100 from the two adjudicators, an impressive achievement, particularly in the school's first-ever appearance at the festival.
Adding to the excitement, the band’s performance of “Enter Sandman,” originally recorded by Metallica, has become a social media sensation. A video of the performance has generated more than 1.1 million views and 90,000 likes on Instagram, introducing the remarkable talent of these young musicians to audiences far beyond the school community.
To commemorate their success, Mr. O'Connor and the Jazz Band students enjoyed a well-earned celebration at Adventureland in Farmingdale.
