A group of North Carolina middle and high school student musicians stood on stage, beaming with pride, next to the instruments they’d won in the 2024 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival Student Instrument Contest. Their families and thousands in the audience cheered their accomplishment. It was a special moment, a moment repeated at every Coltrane JazzFest since the very first festival was held in 2011.
The Student Instrument Contest encourages burgeoning young musicians from around the state who, because of lack of owning their own, are challenged to continue their music studies. Students submit an essay or a video of themselves explaining their aspirations and their need for an instrument. The winners receive the instrument about which they wrote, brand new.
COLTRANE LEGACY
The contest connects Coltrane’s master musician and composer legacy to the community of young people seeking to continue a music education. Coltrane practiced hours everyday and every chance he could when on the road. This essential facet of Coltrane’s legacy fuels the purpose to help music students own an instrument on which they can practice.
In past years, one of the Festival performers joined the students on stage to encourage them in their music studies and give advice for developing as professional musicians. Last year, the Mayor of High Point, Cyril Jefferson, delightfully broke that tradition. Jefferson was once a public school music teacher and band director. He happily engaged the winners, sharing personal memories and giving guidance from his experience as a leader as well as an educator. Their stories are compelling and the results inspire hope.
THE 2024 STUDENT INSTRUMENT WINNERS
Lila Manuel – 10th Grade, Winston Salem, NC — Trumpet
Patrick Bingham – 11th Grade, Thomasville, NC — Drum Set
Craig Masumi – 9th Grade, Greensboro< NC — Drum Set
Dominick De La Cruz – 8th Grade, Winston Salem, NC — Alto Saxophone
Steven Spencer – 11th Grade, Cary, NC — Baritone Saxophone
Sam Jones -10th Grade, Colfax, NC — Tenor Saxophone
Makenzie Stewart – 9th Grade, Pfafftown, NC — Piccolo
Cohen Nichols – 7th Grade, Mt. Airy, NC — Trumpet
Connor McLean – 7th Grade, Holly Springs, NC — Tenor Saxophone
Raymond Myles Cooper – 11th Grade, Greensboro, NC — Bass Guitar
Robin Sigler – 12th Grade, Kernersville, NC — Alto Saxophone
Christofer Pineda Mendoza – 9th Grade, Winston Salem, NC — Tenor Saxophone
Soham Mishra – 7th Grade, High Point, NC — Drum Set
Lathan Harris – 10th Grade, High Point, NC –Trumpet
Seth Sullivan -12th Grade, Holly Springs, NC — Baritone Saxophone
Willa Breez Barr – 7th Grade, Raleigh, NC — Bass Guitar
