ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DownBeat magazine recently shone its spotlight on Kent Denver School’s Quincy Ave. Rhythm Band, which it named Best High School Band in the Country in the pop/rock/blues category. It is the seventh time in a decade the band has been recognized with the distinction and the 10th DownBeat award for Kent Denver’s Commercial Music Program.
Run by Director of Commercial Music Stephen Holley—himself a professional musician—Kent Denver’s music program has been at the forefront of high school music in Colorado and across the country for over a decade.
Upper Schoolers audition annually for a place in the Quincy Ave. Rhythm Band as well as the School’s other bands, including other DownBeat award-winners The Azucartones and the Blackmer Big Band. Those selected may take the class for credit each year during high school.
“These musicians perform at a professional level; they just happen to be teenagers!” says Holley. “The effort they pour into the music, our rehearsals and our performances is astounding. I couldn’t be more proud of them!”
In addition to on-campus appearances, the group has performed locally, nationally and internationally, including gigs in Havana, Cuba, at the Montreaux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival, and the Porretta (Italy) Soul Festival.
“We believe our band program is what music education should be—new and exciting!” says Upper School Division Head Eric Chandler, Ph. D.
About Kent Denver School
Kent Denver School is a private school serving 698 students in grades 6-12 in the greater Denver area. Excellence in scholarship and character is the goal of a Kent Denver education. We seek to build a caring, diverse community of responsible citizens. To that end, our school provides a challenging college preparatory curriculum and sets high ethical standards. To learn more about Kent Denver School, visit www.kentdenver.org.