John “Jack “ Gardner: 2017

John "Jack" Gardner, plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville, TN, fall 2017,majoring in Music.  Jack is a vocalist and musician, and has been involved in music programs for over nine years.  His talents earned him the prestigious “Essentially Ellington Musician of Merit Certificate for Outstanding Performance.” This distinction is awarded during “Jazz at Lincoln Center,” an annual high school festival held in May in New York City. 

For several years, he has made All-State Mixed Chorus, tenor, Symphonic Band on alto sax and 1st band 1st chair senior year with the highest overall score on tenor sax for jazz band. He was a member of Central High School concert band, Jazz big band and Madrigals. He was a Junior Civitan and a member of the All-City Band. Jack was also a top AP music theory student.