After an audition process that included musicians from both Monmouth and Ocean Counties, five Christian Brothers Academy students earned All-Shore Jazz Ensemble spots.

It is the most CBA students accepted to the ensemble in program history. The nine students who auditioned was also the most-ever.

Andrew Vilchez ’22 was selected to the A-Band for the tenor saxophone 1 and earned the highest overall score for his instrument. His counterpart, Heran Miao ’23, also received an A-Band position for tenor saxophone 2 and was the second highest scorer for his instrument.

Three CBA students will play in the B-Band ensemble: guitarist Nicholas Arena ’22, bass guitarist Francesco Di Lascia ’23, and drummer Ryan Manley ’23.

In addition, CBA’s musical director Mr. Christian Lopez will conduct the B-Band, which gives him the opportunity to lead the A-Band next year.

“I would like to congratulate all of the students who took on the challenge of auditioning for a spot in the All-Shore Jazz Ensembles,” Lopez said. “It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and vulnerability to prepare for and take on an audition of this caliber. In addition, I would like to give a special shoutout to the five students that were accepted into these ensembles. You should be proud of yourselves for what you have accomplished.”

The program is run by the All Shore Band Directors Association, which is a venture of the band directors of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to provide musical opportunities for students as well as professional growth for educators.

The association will now put together a virtual concert that is professionally mixed, giving the CBA musicians a chance to perform for an audience. Rehearsals are underway and the virtual concert will be released in the spring.