Tyler Jackson attends the Gulf Coast Band Directors’ Association Honor Band Jazz Clinic

On January 13, six St. Patrick students (Carmen DeStazio, Bethany Diamond, Lindsey Diamond, Tyler Jackson, Will McMackin, and Richard Springer) auditioned for the Gulf Coast Band Directors’ Association (GCBDA) Honor Band Clinic. Each student auditioned for the concert band, and Jackson additionally auditioned for the jazz band. Springer was selected as first chair of the Red Band on trumpet, and Jackson was selected as first chair of the Red Band on tenor saxophone and second chair of the Red Band on alto saxophone. Jackson attended the Jazz Band Clinic on Friday, Jan. 26.

On the clinic, Jackson said, “The GCBDA Jazz Honor Band and Concert Honor Band were both amazing experiences. These honor bands allow me to compete against other students in south Mississippi, learn and grow as a musician, meet new directors and professors from local schools and colleges, and have an amazing time putting on a show. The Jazz Clinic was a lot of fun, and it provided an opportunity for me to play in a group of the best high school jazz musicians on the Coast.”

Jackson plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) after graduation, majoring in bio-chemistry. He also hopes to be in the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band and aims to audition for a chair in one of the Pride’s concert and jazz bands. Jackson was also selected to participate in the USM All-South Honor Band this weekend. He said, “I am very excited to head to Southern for another great music experience.”