Musicians Claim 2nd Place in Downbeat Magazine’s Global Competition
Community High’s jazz combo “Red in Blue” has captured 2nd Place in the Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award in the High School Combo Contest. The prestigious competition draws entries from across the globe, with this year’s winners representing musical talent from Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Austria.
The six-member ensemble features Zack Michalec on piano, Alex Sherk on drums, Elvin Sahijdak on saxophone, Violet Collier on bass, Sidney Kitchen on trombone, and Calvin Ohi on guitar. Their achievement places them among the top high school jazz performers in the world, with only Plano West High School finishing ahead of them.
Jack Wagner, Director of the program, praised the group’s accomplishment in the most significant global competition for high school jazz combos.
“I am so incredibly proud of these tremendously passionate students. It’s been wonderful watching them bond over their shared love of the music,” he said. “Each one of them is dedicating their life to jazz and going on to major in jazz performance in college. Due to their hard work, they really deserve this.”
The full listing of winners appears in the June 2025 issue of Downbeat Magazine, which features Theo Croker on the cover.
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