Reynolds Students Win Band Instruments at John Coltrane Festival

Hailey Willard with Johnathan Hamiel

John Coltrane‘s contribution to the arts lives on, this time in the form of instruments that two Reynolds High School students won in an essay contest sponsored by the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival.

The festival honoring the High Point jazz legend was held over Labor Day weekend. Ethan Ebert, a junior who plays alto and tenor sax, won a new Jupiter alto saxophone; and Hailey Willard, a senior, won a Jupiter mellophone.

Both students wrote about the impact of music in their lives. They picked up their prizes at the festival.

Johnathan Hamiel with Ethan Ebert

Ebert, a member of the jazz band, said he hopes to study music in college.

Willard, a member of the marching band, said she would like to play in a marching band in college.

“I won’t be using the school’s instrument anymore,” Willard said.

Johnathan Hamiel is the Band Director at Reynolds.