Striking the right chord
The Belen Jesuit Jazz Band, under the leadership of Ms. Marlene Urbay, competed in the Festivals of Music March 23-24 in Chicago, IL. The band was awarded Superior First Place and First Place Overall at the festival.
“The students have worked very hard and are deserving of these awards,” said Band Director Marlene Urbay. “I am very proud of each and every one of them.”
“Our music program never ceases to amaze us,” said Father Willie. “What a testament to hard work and dedication. Our music teachers are second to none.”
Many of these students have been in the band program for several years honing their talent. The students that participated in the competition are: Ehren Fernández, Nicholas Oyarzun, Alexander Rodríguez, Mario Pérez, Brian Feal, Drew Chinigo, Alejandro Salas, Lucas Fernández, Anthony Trujillo, Rafael Esparragoza, David Leiva, Roberto Ochoa, Andre Caputo, Gerald Chang, Ricardo Espina, Daniel Corrada, Placido Valdés, Roberto Gutiérrez, Anthony Baradat, and Ian Anderson.
Festivals of Music is an educationally-focused music festival that provides school performing ensembles the opportunity to learn from exceptional conductors in the field of music education. Their mission is to bring together student musicians for performances and clinic experiences in outstanding concert venues, with the result being musical growth and achievement recognition for both the individuals and the participating music programs.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.