DOWNEY - Downey High School's jazz bands and jazz choir brought home three trophies from the 22nd annual Folsom Jazz Festival held Jan. 28-29.It was the first competition of the year for the bands and choir, which are under the direction of director Corneliu Olariu. The Jazz Band placed third in its division, while Jazz Choir earned second place. Jazz Ensemble, Downey's top band, also placed second in its division, with scores high enough to place them into finals competition, a first Downey High jazz bands. The Jazz Choir will perform Feb. 21 at Disneyland as part of the Community Arts Program. The choir has also been named a finalist in the 2011 Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival to be held April 1-3. All jazz bands will compete the second weekend in April at the 49th annual Reno Jazz Festival at the University of Reno at Nevada. For more information on any of the groups, contact Olariu by calling Downey High School at (562) 869-7301.

********** Published: February 17, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 44