“[Being featured at the Wisconsin School Music Association meant a lot to me. It kind of acted as a validation that I am not bad at saxophone and [provided] the idea that [maybe] I’d like to pursue this as a career,” said Andrew Scott, a Stoughton High School junior who attended the 2023 WSMA State Jazz Ensemble at Monona Terrace on Oct. 27, 2023. Scott’s process to play at the WSMA ensemble started last winter when he went to Milton to audition.
“The auditions are definitely tough because they’re pretty nerve-racking. I absolutely bombed my one for the concert ensemble. The music is very hard. I’m not used to playing music that’s that hard,” Scott said. “[It] was definitely a learning experience.”
After auditions, Scott was one of two alto saxophonists, two tenor saxophonists, and one baritone saxophonist who were all invited to attend a four-day camp at UW-Green Bay this past June.
“Pretty much we woke up early, ate breakfast, had rehearsal until lunch, had rehearsal until dinner, and then had rehearsal until nine, [and then] went to bed,” Scott said.
The songs picked for the ensemble were Soupbone by Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Settle by Paul Dietrich Jazz Ensemble ft. Clarence Penn, Black Ball Swing by Marcys Shelby Orchestra, Vernal Suite by Christina Jenson and Ingrid Jensen, and The Compass by Alan Ferber Nonet.
“I was definitely a big fan of [the] music choice. I feel all the songs that the director picked were just great songs,” Scott said. “I did not have any solos, but when it came to most songs, the saxophones had more interesting parts it seemed.”
The WSMA state band is not an easy band to play in, according to Stoughton High School band teacher Dan Schmidt.
Every school that’s a member of the WSMA sends students to be a part of the ensemble, and this year, the number of students sent across the board was 1,000.
“[Jazz Honors Ensemble] is in every state in the country. There are honors ensembles for bands, choirs, orchestras, and jazz ensembles. The gist of it is that students throughout the state audition, and the top students in each state end up getting a spot in those ensembles,” Schmidt said.
“There are a lot of professors in music departments that, once a student makes a spot in an all-state ensemble, they will reach out to those students. They’re representing some of the best players in the state.”
To be considered one of the best student musicians in the state comes with a lot of work and dedication.
“Andrew has the ability to both be serious and goofy and philosophical somehow, all at the same time. And I really enjoy that combo,” Schmidt said. “I think it makes him a really good musician and a really good sax player.” Scott has played the alto saxophone since he was in 6th grade, and beyond SHS’s Band, Scott is a part of a band of his own creation.
“We don’t have a name yet. We’re still a little in the preliminary stages, but hopefully, we’ll be out there soon,” Scott said.
Besides Scott, other members include sophomores Paul Kleven, Gio Stassi, Peter Stracener, Tobie Bluel, and seniors Ella Loup and Alley Parks.
Scott had a few people he wanted to thank for helping him get to this opportunity: Daniel Wallach, his private teacher from Middleton, SHS band teacher Dan Schmidt and former SHS band teacher Elliot Rittenberry, and his fellow students who have pushed him to work hard.
Scott’s goals beyond high school are to become a music educator and maybe even, in his words, the “next Dan Schmidt.”
Schmidt has a few words of advice for Scott and his future in band, having said, “I would encourage him to always remember his ‘why’ and to do his best to always remain focused and passionate. […] Remember why you decided to teach and make music a part of your life.”