Mendham Teen Recognized, Awarded New York Jazz Band Competition

MENDHAM, NJ — A West Morris Mendham High School junior won a prize at the 27th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition, held at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Ginger Meyer, member of the West Morris Mendham Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra, recently won the Outstanding Alto Saxophone Award.

The Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival is one of the most creative jazz educational events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City for three days of workshops, rehearsals, and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of jazz at the Lincoln Center.

Meyer is the lead alto saxophonist of the Jazz House Kids Big Band, which was named one of 15 finalists in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band competition after competing against more than 80 high school bands from across the country.

Outside of school, Meyer recently auditioned for the 2022 All-State Jazz Ensemble and was chosen as its first president, alto saxophone. Rehearsals will begin in the fall and the concert will take place in October.

The Mayo Performing Arts Center also named her Music Student of the Month last February.

Meyer began playing the piano at the age of six and now studies alto saxophone with Bruce Williams, assistant professor at the Julliard School of Music, and Lou Quagliato, director of visual and performing arts at Westfield.

“A great inspiration comes from studying and listening to the masters of history play with a deeper musical understanding and interpretation and coupled with her other experience teaching instruments, she became a better and better saxophonist. more mature,” said Pauline Meyer.