Jazz Ensembles
The jazz program at the West Milford Township School District was established by Mr. Gramata in 2010 and has flourished over the past eight years. Consisting of two jazz bands, jazz is very accessible to any student that is interested in participating. Currently, approximately fifty students are enrolled in the high school jazz program. West Milford High School offers two jazz bands: The Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Band. All bands are created through an audition process that encourages participation regardless of experience in the genre. Jazz Ensemble auditions take place in November and the ensembles begin to rehearse following the conclusion of the marching band season. With a comprehensive study of styles and history, all bands have the opportunity to participate in festivals, concerts and the creation of combos. Recent highlights of the West Milford Jazz Ensemble include New Jersey State Finals appearances in every year of participation; including 2nd place finishes at the NJAJE State Jazz Finals from 2015 - 2022. In February of 2017, the West Milford Jazz Ensemble participated for the first time, and was awarded 1st place at the prestigious Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston, Massachusetts, which is arguably the largest jazz festival in the country. The Jazz Ensemble was also selected to perform at the National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Convention in Atlantic City, NJ
2022 NJ State Prelims
The jazz ensemble earned the only GOLD rating on the first night of the NJ State Jazz Prelims held at West Orange H.S. The ensemble also won Best Trombone, Trumpet, and Sax Section, along with the Best sight Reading Award. Lilianna Sanchez was named an outstanding soloist
jazz ensemble to perform at Njmea convention
The West Milford Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2018 NJMEA Convention in East Brunswick, NJ. They will be the only high school jazz ensemble featured at the conference. The NJMEA Convention is a three day professional development conference for music educators from the state of New Jersey
In addition, Peter Suckiel & Eric Darnsteadt were awarded Outstanding Musicianship Awards in Large Ensemble Class 2!
West Milford Places 2nd at the
2018 BERKLEE JAZZ FESTIVAL!
West Milford Wins
2017 BERKLEE JAZZ FESTIVAL!
In their first ever trip to the prestigious Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston, the West Milford Jazz Ensemble took 1st place in Large Ensemble Class II! Arguably the biggest jazz festival in the country, the Berklee Jazz Festival hosts over 150 performing groups from the United States and worldwide.
WM Jazz Ensemble Selected to Perform at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City
It is a great honor to be selected as a performing ensemble at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference. This division is made up of 13 states and our jazz ensemble was one of 2 high school jazz groups to be selected to perform. They will perform on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 3PM in Atlantic City, NJ.
Jazz Ensemble 2nd Place at State Finals
For the eighth year in a row, the West Milford High School Jazz Ensemble was awarded 2nd place at the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education State Finals in Burlington, New Jersey. The band took the best overall trombone section award along with the Outstanding Sight Reading Award. Shane Duffy, Brennan Coulton & Lilianna Sanchez all received best soloist awards.
