Mendham Teen Recognized, Awarded In NYC Jazz Band Competition

MENDHAM, NJ — A junior from West Morris Mendham High School took home an award from the 27th Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition, held at New York's Lincoln Center.

Ginger Meyer, a member of the West Morris Mendham Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra, recently won the Outstanding Alto Saxophone Award.

The Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the world's most creative jazz education events. Every year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City for three days of workshops, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Meyer is the lead alto saxophonist for the Jazz House Kids Big Band, which was named one of 15 finalists in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition after competing against more than 80 high school bands from across the country.

Outside of school, Meyer recently auditioned for the 2022 All-State Jazz Ensemble and was chosen as the first chair, alto saxophone. Rehearsals will begin in the fall, with the concert taking place in October.

Mayo Performing Arts Center also named her Music Student of the Month this past February.

Meyer began playing the piano at the age of six and now studies alto saxophone with Bruce Williams, Adjunct Professor at Julliard School of Music, and Lou Quagliato, Westfield's Director of Visual and Performing Arts.

"Great inspiration comes with studying and listening to history’s masters play with deeper musical understanding and interpretation and coupled with her other instrument education experience, she has grown to be a better and more mature saxophonist," said Pauline Meyer.