Vernon Middle School

The Harlingen High School South Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Ronnie Rios, attended the 57th Annual TAMUK Jazz Festival in Kingsville in March, where they received a Superior rating for their performance and secured 1st place in the Class 5A category.

San Antonio Wagner High School earned 2nd place, while McAllen High School received 3rd place among the recognized ensembles.

The TAMUK Jazz Festival is a prestigious two-day event, one of the oldest in the nation, and is widely regarded as the 'Super Bowl' of Jazz Festivals in Texas.

The festival attracted competing bands from various regions, including Vandegrift, Del Rio, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Alice, and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

The Harlingen South Jazz Orchestra performed four pieces, featuring an up-tempo swing, fusion, ballad, and a Latin selection.

Senior trombone student Adam Hernandez was also honored for his outstanding performance and earned a spot in the prestigious "All-Star" Jazz Band.

The judging panel included Dr. James Warth (retired, TAMUK), Dr. Keith Winking (Texas State University), and Dr. Utah Hamrick (Texas State University).

Looking ahead, the South Jazz Orchestra will next compete at the Taft Jazz Festival in San Antonio on April 12. Additionally, they will perform in "exhibition" as a featured high school jazz band at the upcoming Rio Grande Valley Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 26, at the Harlingen CISD Performing Arts Center.