The Skyline Jazz Band earned first place at the Reno Jazz Festival held from April 22 to 24 where they competed against other high schools from California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.

According to Vincent Tolliver, Skyline’s instrumental music director, feedback from judges informed him that his band was “well-studied and did an excellent job with the dynamic nuances, and that the selections reflected well on the roots and history of the music.” One judge’s only complaint was that he wasn’t able to hear the students play longer. They were very well received indeed!

The Reno Jazz Festival is an annual event which started in 1962 and features some of finest jazz students, musicians and educators in the country. It is sponsored by the University of Nevada at Reno. Competitors come from middle schools, high schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges.

Skyline hadn’t earned first place at the Reno Jazz Festival since the mid-1960s. After not participating for many years, the Jazz Band started attending again in 2003 under Ted Allen, Skyline’s previous instrumental music director. In both 2007 and 2008, the Jazz Band won second place.

The Jazz Band’s official position this year is winner of “First Place in the AA High School Band category.” Categories are determined by the size of the high school. Competitions are for both individuals and groups, in vocal performances, jazz combos and jazz band.

Here are the 2010 Reno Jazz Festival AA High School Band winners:

1. Skyline High School, Oakland, CA

2. Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA

3. Menlo-Atherton High School, Atherton, CA

4. Foothill High School, Pleasanton, CA

5. Granite Bay High School, Granite Bay, CA

Huge thanks goes to Mr. Tolliver, his hard-working students, parents who helped with the Reno trip, and everyone who helped organize, attend and contribute to the Jazz Band benefit for Reno which was held last March at Yoshi’s.

BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS: This first-place winning Skyline Jazz Band will be performing along with other instrumental and vocal student musicians at Skyline’s Spring Music Night on Thursday, May 27th at 7:30 PM.

Tickets will be $10 general, $5 for children under 12 & seniors over 65. The show will be at the Farnsworth Theater, Skyline High School, 12250 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland.