JACKSON, NJ – Four students from the Jackson Township High School Instrumental Music Department put their talent to the test Saturday at Absegami High School, auditioning for the South Jersey Band and Orchestra Association (SJBODA – Region III) Honors Ensembles. By day’s end, three of the four earned coveted spots among the region’s best young musicians.
The competitive auditions drew top performers from across Ocean County and South Jersey, with participants required to perform advanced solos, scales, and sight-reading exercises before a panel of judges. Jackson Township High School emerged as a standout, producing the region’s top-scoring trumpet player and second-highest-scoring euphonium player.
Senior Vanessa DeSouza (STEM Academy) claimed First Chair Trumpet honors and was selected for both the Region Orchestra and Region Wind Ensemble. Junior Daniel Dipierro (DMA Academy) secured Second Chair Euphonium in the Region Wind Ensemble, while Madison McMahon (JAA Academy) earned a spot on Bass Clarinet in the Region Symphonic Band. Fellow junior Morgann Thomas also impressed judges with a strong clarinet audition, narrowly missing selection.
The three selected students will perform in January at Rowan University under the direction of regionally and nationally recognized conductors.