Community takes in NHHS jazz picnic

The Newport Harbor Music Education Foundation presented Under the Bell Tower, the high school’s annual jazz picnic amid ideal sunny weather Sunday evening on the school’s lawn.

The fundraising event featured the Newport Harbor Midshipman Jazz Band, as well as Bones West, a trombone choir that included a few Newport Harbor alumni.

Karen Yelsey, the Newport Mesa Unified School District board president, and Newport Beach City Councilmen Tony Petros and Keith Curry attended the event.

Newport Harbor Principal Sean Boulton thanked everyone for coming and encouraged them to support the school’s music program.

Special raffles, food from Outback Steakhouse and desserts also helped raise money for the program.

The band played several jazz classics. Harbor sophomore Sabrina Von Bogenberg delivered a performance of “Fever” with the jazz band.

Just before closing, director Rob Henthorn led the band with a version of Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

The Midshipman Jazz Band includes Colin Duffy and Jonathan Farris on the alto saxophone; Rachelle A La Torre and Nick Belida on the tenor saxophone; Manny Mora and Luke Pistacchi on the guitar; Jose A La Torre, Will Crook, Elise Denghausen, Luke Pistacchi, Rayna Richardson, Clay Sample, Aureo Tellez and Jessica Woodruff on the trumpet; Adam Bennani, Abby Grant, Ana Hernandez and Sofia Vaides on the trombone; Hunter Towner on the baritone saxophone; Emily Garcia on percussion; Elias Jackson on keyboard; Tim Gotcher on bass; and Gio Aponte, Frankie Rice and Manny Mora on drums.