BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Though hundreds of students from around the Granite State attended the New Hampshire All-State Music Festival, only a select few vocalists were selected to participate in the jazz portion of the event.

Bow High School was represented by four such students.

From Feb. 1-3, seniors Natasha Franks and Christina Williams, and sophomores Molly Milazzo and Jenny Hurley performed at Nashua South High School in what Bow High School Music Director Bill Metevier said is one of the highest honors for young vocalists.

To audition, students must go through a three-step process.

“It’s a result of having a pretty balanced background that they, on one hand can be a performer and sing the ballad, and at the same time they have strong musicianship that allows them to be able to express some independence.”

Metevier said 40 schools sent students to jazz All-State, so it is an impressive feat for four Bow  students to participate out of the 100 musicians at the event, more than the average number of students per school.

“It’s especially wonderful to have four women that have been selected because much more women audition than men. It’s just a tremendous accomplishment,” he said.

All four girls also participated in the classical choir for the All-State Music Festival, but the difference, said Franks, is there are only eight places per voice part in the jazz choir, as opposed to the classical choir, where 45 students are needed for each voice part.

“That’s obviously a huge difference and it’s just really great to be able to be surrounded by a bunch of really high-caliber musicians,” said Franks. “You are really under pressure to know your part because, if you don’t, you will definitely stick out. I believe, a lot more than you would at classical All-state, so you definitely have to go in there prepared.”

Williams, on the other hand, got into classical choir last year, but said she is excited to take her musical talents to the next level.

“Jazz is a genre of music that I’m not as familiar with, so I’m really excited to be immersed in it. And I’m interested to see the difference, the flavor, of jazz All-State, compared to regular All-State.”

Jenny Hurley, received her spot on the jazz choir after another student dropped out.

She recently moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts, but said there are similarities between the two states.

“I was doing districts down there, so jazz All-State is just a totally new experience for me,” she said.

“But from past experience with musical groups, I’ve gone in and everybody has one thing in common, so it’s so easy to make friends.”

Milazzo, who is in her second year going to the All-State competition, said it’s the music that bonds participants.

“It’s so much fun to meet people. Everybody is really nice and they all know what they are doing,” said Milazzo. “You come there with the music all prepared, you have a great conductor and you get to watch other people do amazing things.”