Trombone major Nathan Davis ’17 was selected for the 2017 Disneyland All-American College Band in Anaheim, California. He will begin his work there following the Shenandoah Conservatory Jazz Ensemble’s tour of the Northwest in May.
The Disneyland All-American College Band is a group of college undergraduate and graduate (primarily jazz) students from universities all around the country. There are two rounds of auditions. A video prescreening round and a live audition that is held around the country are part of the process. This was Davis’ fourth year auditioning. Participants can only be in the band once. This year’s band has students from Manhattan School of Music, University of North Texas, Florida State University and more. Many professional artists, including military musicians, have been in this band at some point in their career.
Members of the Disneyland All-American College Band are given Yamaha’s pro series instruments for the summer. During the day, the band provides entertainment throughout the park and present a big band set. Band members also get to attend clinics with pros in the Los Angeles area.
Davis said his graduation marked a significant accomplishment for him, as he noted in a recent Facebook post, thanking Shenandoah for accepting him and outlining what his future holds (including directing a UNT ensemble this fall):
I cheated my way through kindergarten, my first grade teacher wanted to hold me back, and I should have failed the 5th…
Posted by Nathan Davis on Friday, May 12, 2017
In other Shenandoah Conservatory news:
In April about $2,000 was raised during the 26th annual Jazzathon, an event which features continuous jazz performances over the course of 24 hours, in various locations on campus and in the Winchester community. Funds raised by this year’s Jazzathon support the upcoming Shenandoah Conservatory Jazz Ensemble tour of the Northwest—Seattle and Vancouver/Victoria British Columbia—this month.
Graduate piano student Aaron Chow won second prize at the 2017 International Piano Competition hosted by Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota in Florida on April 29. The prize includes a $5,000 cash award. Chow was one of eight semifinalists invited to compete in the final round, which consisted of a public performance before a distinguished panel of nationally recognized artists and music educators. The competition is open to pianists between the age of 18 and 25. Chow is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Performance and studies with Distinguished Artist-in-Residence, Chair of Keyboard Division and Professor of Piano John O’Conor, Mus.D.
The Shenandoah Conservatory Trombone Ensemble recently visited Briar Woods High School, John Champe High School, Stafford High School and Mountain View High School. They also performed at the 2017 American Trombone Workshop hosted by The U.S. Army Band in Arlington, Virginia from March 8 through March 11. The Trombone Ensemble is conducted by Adjunct Associate Professor of Classical and Jazz Trombone Matthew Niess, D.M.A.
The Shenandoah Conservatory Flute Ensemble performed at the Evans Home for Children in Winchester, Virginia, on April 29. Members of the ensemble also spent time talking with the children, who in turn also played their instruments for the conservatory students. The Flute Ensemble is directed by Professor of Flute Jonathan Snowden, A.G.S.M.
