BCS Advantage Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 24

North Buncombe High
GRAMMY Adventure Begins in Weaverville
By Katie Ball, NBHS freshman
J
ason Chrisman, a senior at North Buncombe High School, discovered his musical genius and love
for band in the sixth grade at North Windy Ridge where he played the bass clarinet. Through his
own natural talents and the nurturing of band teachers and administrators, Jason was guided to
many opportunities to grow as a performer.
In the 7th grade, he participated in All County Honors
band as the first chair. In 8th grade, he pursued learning
the tenor sax and earned first chair with this new
instrument at the State Level Jazz Honors Band. In
10th grade Jason performed in Nashville, TN with the
National Jazz Band. In addition to many competitions
and awards, Jason (along with an ensemble of fellow
jazz musicians from North Buncombe High School)
spent much of his junior year performing busks in the
streets of downtown Asheville and playing in jazz jam
sessions with amazing local artists at Barley’s.
Photo courtesy of The Recording Academy®/
WireImage.com, photo by Jerod Harris © 2016.
Jason’s most recent and prestigious accomplishment
is being chosen as one of only 30 students nationwide to perform in the 2016 Grammy Camp – Jazz
Session; he was the only student from NC chosen. It was
at band director Andrew Shelton’s recommendation that
Jason seized the opportunity to apply for this chance to
perform in Los Angeles ahead of the 58th Grammy Awards.
Additionally, Jason made an album with his peers, and he
attended the Grammy show and “after party” as a guest
of the Recording Institute of America. This performance
was Jason’s most recent success, thanks to encouragement
by his past and present teachers. This performance was
also the first of many future endeavors where Jason will,
undoubtedly, pursue his musical ambitions. His next goal
is to attend the Manhattan School of Music in New York
Photo courtesy of Maddy Jones/Asheville Citizen-Times.
City. We all wish him the best of luck!
Photo courtesy of The Recording Academy®/WireImage.com, photo by Jerod Harris © 2016.
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