May 19, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

All That Jazz – Samohi Program Finishes Festival on a High Note:

By Sebastian Lopez

The Santa Monica High School Jazz program put on award-winning performances at the Westlake High School Jazz Festival  Saturday, May 7.

The Jazz Festival created an opportunity where 68 jazz bands and combos performed to showcase their talent. The Samohi Jazz program took home two awards as a whole, as well as fourteen individual outstanding soloist awards.

“The fact that Samohi’s program performed so well is a testament to the fantastic music education our students receive, starting with elementary music years all the way up through the high school level,” said Tom Whaley, visual and performing arts coordinator and jazz band 1 and combo director.

The jazz festival offered various levels of competition from “novice” to “heavy” and held a concert featuring the Cal State Northridge Jazz ensemble.

“Participating and excelling in an event like the Westlake High School Jazz Festival provides such an educational and motivational experience for our students and illustrates our deep level of commitment to the District’s arts and music programs,” said Santa Monica Malibu United School District (SMMUSD) Superintendent Sandra Lyon said.

Jazz Band 2, under the direction of Sean Pawling, placed first in the novice big band division and was the only band in the division that earned the highest rating from each adjudicator.

“We are so proud of each student, the directors and all those who have contributed to success of our thriving music program,” Lyon said.

Jazz Band 1, under direction of Tom Whaley, placed second in the advanced big band division and was only .17 of a point shy from placing above first over Moorpark High School.

The Samohi jazz program recently received a $5,000 donation and set up a Go Fund Me page to try and raise and additional $5,000 to help cover operational expenses. To contribute head to: gofundme.com/mtzr5puw.

The Samohi Jazz bands will perform their final concert at Catalina bar and Grill in Hollywood on Saturday May 21 from 12 to 2:30pm.

in News
<>Related Posts

Yeastie Boys and Netflix Launch Nobody Wants This Bagel Pop-Up for Emmy Season

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Two-Day Event Rolls Through Brentwood on May 17 With Themed Menu In a pitch-perfect blend of street food and streaming...

Boundary Pushing Opera Schoenberg in Hollywood Makes West Coast Premiere at UCLA’s Nimoy Theater

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Multimedia Opera Reimagining the Life of Arnold Schoenberg Debuts May 18–22 Tod Machover’s boundary-pushing chamber opera, Schoenberg in Hollywood, will...

L.A. County Has Canceled $183 Million in Medical Debt for Over 134,000 Residents

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

First Wave of Relief Part to Relieve Medical Debt for Low-Income Angelenos In a major step toward easing the financial...

Northside Pier Fest Returns to Venice Following Fire Delays

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Heats will take place across both the Main and Secondary Banks of the Venice Fishing Pier The Northside Pier Fest...

Palisades Youth to Perform Benefit Cabaret at Harvard-Westlake

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The performance will feature solo and group acts ranging from vocal and instrumental music to dance In the wake of...

Santa Monica College to Stage U.S. Premiere of ‘Dara’

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The production brings to American audiences for the first time the story of two royal brothers—Dara and Aurangzeb—locked in a...

Santa Monica Exhibit Showcases Artists Silenced by Pandemic

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The exhibit features a wide spectrum of visual art that emerged from a period defined by social upheaval, personal introspection,...

Film Review: Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning is a ridiculously entertaining action film with a core of what humanity...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Experience You Can Trust, Beards You Can Admire: Economy Roofing’s 75-Year Legacy in Santa Monica CA

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

Driving along Santa Monica Blvd., you may have seen a playful billboard featuring two rugged men with impressively big beards,...

(Video) See Inside Levain Bakery’s New Venice Beach Spot

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

The NY-Based Bakery Serves Up Signature Cookies, Bread, Muffins and Coffee The NY-Based Bakery Serves Up Signature Cookies, Bread, Muffins...

(Video) Squirrels Overrun Palisades Park, Officials Warn Against Feeding

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Environmental Concerns are Raised as the Brown Rodents Cover the Lawn Environmental Concerns are Raised as the Brown Rodents Cover...

“Yes, Chef!” Pits Tempers Against Talent in José Andrés and Martha Stewart’s New Culinary Series

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Twelve Rebellious Chefs Compete for $250,000 in a Transformative Cooking Competition Celebrity chefs José Andrés and Martha Stewart are teaming...

Santa Monica City Council Approves Outdoor Drinking Zone on Third Street Promenade

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

New “Entertainment Zone” Will Allow Alcohol Consumption in Public Spaces If you have ever wished to have a cocktail or...

Details Unveiled for Venice Summer Fest 2025

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Organizers described the fest as “more than an event — it’s a community celebration that reflects the creativity, heart, and...