All-State Jazz concert at LCCC to showcase state’s top high school music talent

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Wyoming’s brightest young jazz performers will take the stage in January for the All-State Jazz Concert, hosted at Laramie County Community College.

The Wyoming All-State Jazz gathering will bring together the state’s most talented high school jazz musicians for two days of rehearsals and performances on Jan, 6-7. The All-State Jazz Concert is set for 3 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on LCCC’s Cheyenne campus. The concert is free and open to the public, featuring performances by the Vocal Jazz group and two Jazz Bands.

Selected through a competitive audition process, Wyoming’s top high school jazz musicians will rehearse under the guidance of distinguished clinicians before showcasing their skills in the final concert.

The event is organized by the Wyoming Jazz Educators (WJE), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing jazz education statewide. Steve Oakley, WJE president and Campbell County High School director of bands, said the All-State Jazz ensembles are particularly prestigious, with limited spots making selection a significant achievement.

Oakley added that the technical challenges of jazz are extraordinary, and the best part is hearing how each student interprets the music.

“The way I think of it is my jazz band is like my varsity-level players,” he said. “The cool thing about jazz is that it’s so heavily based on improvisation. Depending on who you’re playing with, you’ll play it differently almost every time. The music is more like suggestions—it’s how it should be, but the details are up to you to figure out on your own.”

The experience, Oakley said, builds confidence as students learn to trust their abilities in a challenging, fast-paced environment. Whether they pursue music in college, join community ensembles, or start their own bands, he said the event helps them grow as performers.’

“It’s about giving them the tools and confidence to take jazz with them wherever they go,” Oakley said. “Whether they’re joining a group or putting together their own band, they’ll know what it takes to make it happen.”

Distinguished ensemble directors bringing a wealth of experience will guide the students. Marion Powers, a renowned vocalist and educator from the University of Northern Colorado, will lead the Vocal Jazz group. Dr. Tom Walsh, a respected saxophonist and professor at Indiana University, and Dr. Frank Cook, LCCC’s director of bands and an experienced jazz educator and performer, will direct the Jazz Bands. 

Go to lccc.wy.edu/events for more information. Go to wyojazz.org for more information about the Wyoming All-State Jazz Festival and Wyoming Jazz Educators.

The WJE All-State Jazz Band

Dr. Tom Walsh, Conductor

Alto 1 - Brennan Faubion, Thunder Basin (Gillette)
Alto 2 - Gavin Crolla, Kelly Walsh (Casper)

Tenor 1 - Skyler Shields, Sheridan
Tenor 2 - Zachary Satterthwaite, Cody

Bari Sax - Nathaniel Anderson, Thunder Basin (Gillette)

Trumpet 1 - Ian Schofield, Thunder Basin (Gillette)
Trumpet 2 - Diego Villasenor, Laramie
Trumpet 3 - Henry Kordon, Laramie
Trumpet 4 - Morgan Gelwicks, Laramie

Trombone 1 - Parker Brennan, South (Cheyenne)
Trombone 2 - Jeffrey Jackson, Thunder Basin (Gillette)
Trombone 3 - Madison Copenbarger, Torrington
Trombone 4 - Ryan Rose, Kelly Walsh (Casper)

Guitar - Aaron Haas, Laramie

Piano - Aaron Walker, South (Cheyenne)

Bass - Victor Toscana, Thunder Basin (Gillette)

Drums - Dean Werbelow, Cody

Vibes - Courntey Schwab, South (Cheyenne)

Aux. Percussion - Zachary Caraballo, East (Cheyenne)

The WJE All-State Ensemble

Dr. Frank Cook, Conductor

Alto 1 - Markus Roberts, Star Valley (Afton)
Alto 2 - Evette Bullock, Central (Cheyenne)

Tenor 1 - Tyler Mailloux, Kelly Walsh (Casper)
Tenor 2 - Wyatt Songy, East (Cheyenne)

Bari Sax - Taggart Shumway, Lovell

Trumpet 1 - Vincent Gallizzi, East (Cheyenne)
Trumpet 2 - Edison Havugimana, Laramie
Trumpet 3 - Samantha Pelton, Kelly Walsh (Casper)
Trumpet 4 - Haiden Harding, Riverton

Trombone 1 - Oliver Meyers, Campbell County (Gillette)
Trombone 2 - Andrew Escajeda, East (Cheyenne)
Trombone 3 - Julian Edmunds, East (Cheyenne)
Trombone 4 - Gregory Meyer, Campbell County (Gillette)

Guitar - Jordan Sorenson, Kelly Walsh (Casper)

Piano - Jonathan Ginting, Laramie

Bass - Elijah Coulter, Laramie

Drums - Austin Sears, Powell

Aux. Percussion - Will Cubin, Kelly Walsh (Casper)

The WJE All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Marion Powers, Conductor

Soprano
Jillian Nordberg, Cody
Addyson Brekhus, East (Cheyenne)
Abby Petri, East (Cheyenne)
Ella Christenson, Laramie
Cora Grussendorf, Laramie

Alto
Sienna Lulias, Buffalo
Baylee Strong, Buffalo
Madelyn Artery, East (Cheyenne)
Kili Learned, Laramie
Izabelle Hale, Rock Springs

Tenor
Giovanni Monterastelli, Buffalo
Kaden Baird, East (Cheyenne)
Riley Petruso, East (Cheyenne)
Benjamin Wakkinen, East (Cheyenne)
James Specht, Laramie

Bass
Greg Conklin, Buffalo
Isaac Wood, Cody
Ethan Corinescu, East (Cheyenne)
Alec Gage, East (Cheyenne)
Dalton Allen, Laramie

Drums
Brody Stone, Kelly Walsh (Casper)