Franklin High School Jazz Band Competes in Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Finals

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Principal Joshua Hanna and Assistant Principal Michael Walsh are excited to share that Franklin High School's jazz band competed in the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education (MAJE) finals at Norwood High School on Saturday, March 16. 

Franklin High School's Jazz Band of 30 students played three songs; Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan," Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," and "Better Get Hit in Your Soul." The band played alongside 19 other bands from Massachusetts and performed for a panel of college professors and professional performing jazz artists for medal awards. They received a Superior Gold Medal for their performance and will advance to the Gold Medal Showcase on May 5 at the Hatch Memorial Shell at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.

Prior to the state final, the Franklin High School Jazz Band performed in the Central District Festival at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough on March 6.  The group won a Superior Gold Medal and was one of three bands to advance to the finals.

"The band has had an incredible run in this concert series, and the Franklin School District couldn't be more proud," Superintendent Lucas Giguere said. "Their success is a testament to their work ethic and passion for music. I thank Band Director Leighanne Rudsit for her devotion to ensuring these students can share such achievements."

From left to right: Franklin High School Jazz Band members Weylan O'Connell, Aidan Padula, and Anton Sackley at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro.   (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Franklin High School Jazz Band students at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Franklin High School Jazz Band students at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

27 FHS Music Students performed with the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Twenty seven members of the Franklin High School music program auditioned and were accepted into the 2024 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. The performance took place on January 13th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.

27 FHS Music Students performed with the  Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Participating in the Central District Band were

• Gavin Abdel-Aziz - Trombone
• Emma Anderson-French Horn
• Jake Blanchard - French Horn
• Karah Bradanese - Clarinet
• Peter Bryan - Trumpet
• Daniel Campbell - Trumpet
• Lauren Curtis - Trombone
• Alexander Fioravanti - Euphonium
• Francis Fracassa - French Horn
• Liam Geoghegan - Tenor Saxophone
• John Kane IV - Baritone Saxophone
• Lola Richardson - Flute
• Isabelle Simino - Trombone
• Gabriel Terry - Trombone
• Maria Zaki - Flute
• Katharina Zercie - Bass Trombone

Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band were

• Adithya Balagurumoorthy - Baritone Saxophone
• Thomas Bradley - Trombone
• Emelia Chambers - Trumpet
• Brady Devlin - Trumpet
• Weylan O’Connell - Bass
• Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley - Drum Set

Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is

• Victoria Courtright-Lim - Violin
• Emily Liu - Violin
• Adam Peng - Cello
• Zo Pietras - Violin

26 Franklin High School Music Students were accepted to the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus, and Orchestra

Twenty-six members of the Franklin High School music program virtually auditioned and were accepted into the 2022 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. Twelve of these Franklin High School students received All-State audition recommendations.  

Due to the pandemic, the festival will continue to look a bit different this year. Students will participate in one virtual rehearsal with the conductor.  Students will then be tasked with practicing their music and submitting a recording of their performance.  

Central Districts will have each part edited into a virtual audio performance.  Accepted Franklin High School students are as follows:

• Central District Orchestra: Aadit Bhatia - Violin, Christopher Broyles - Viola, Shreya Choudhury - Violin, Kyle Formato - Cello, Vivienne Loukota - Viola, Jossalyn Mascio - Violin, Patrik O'Brien - Cello, Weylan O'Connell - Bass, Anton Sackley - Percussion, Pritam Sompally - Viola, Sarayu Vijayanagaram - Violin, Leo Yang - Violin
• Central District Band: Adithya Balagurumoorthy - Baritone Saxophone, Karah Bradanese - Clarinet, Thomas Bradley - Trombone, Emma Brown - Flute, Nipun Goel - Trumpet, Derek Halet - Trumpet, Joel Keller - Tuba, Sydney Lincourt - Clarinet, William Olbrys - Trombone, Lola Richardson - Flute, Zachary Simms - French Horn, Maria Zaki - Flute
• Central District Chorus: Margaret Diehl - Alto
• Central District Jazz Band: Colin Manocchio - Trombone, Ian Richardon - Bass 

Franklin High School Music Students were accepted to the Massachusetts Central District 

Franklin High School Music Achievements - Central Districts recognizes 26 students

26 Franklin High School Music Students were accepted to the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus, and Orchestra

Twenty-six members of the Franklin High School music program virtually auditioned and were accepted into the 2021 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. Twelve of these Franklin High School students received All-State audition recommendations.  

 

Due to the pandemic, the festivals will look a bit different this year. Rather than performing in a large ensemble, those students who received All-State recommendations are invited to perform in a virtual masterclass.  This means that they will perform a solo in front of a virtual audience and receive feedback from a highly respected music educator.  All other Sr. District students will have the opportunity to observe these masterclasses.  
 
Accepted into the Central District Band will be Karah Brandanese - Clarinet, Thomas Bradley - Trombone, Simon Brooks - Tuba, Nipun Goel - Trumpet, Derek Halet - Trumpet, Carley Johnson-Pellegri - Bassoon, Joel Keller - Tuba, Ryan O'Rourke - Euphonium, William Olbrys - Trombone, Prem Pendkar - Alto Saxophone, Lola Richardson - Flute, Anton Sackley - Percussion, Zachary Simms - French Horn.
 
Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band will be Colin Manocchio - Trombone and Ian Richardson-Bass.  
 
Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is Aadit Bhatia - violin, Christopher Broyles-viola, Shreya Choudury - Violin, Kyle Formato - Cello, Chai Harsha-viola, Jossalyn Mascio - Violin, Grace Newton - Violin, Weylan O'Connell - Bass, Sarayu Vijayanagaram-violin.
 
Accepted into the Central District Chorus is Claire Bauer. 

 

Franklin High School Music Achievements - Central Districts accept 26 students