Students perform at jazz festival

WESTFALL — On Sunday, Sept. 9, two Delaware Valley High School students participated in the 32nd annual Celebration of the Arts (COTA) Jazz Festival, held in Delaware Water Gap. Junior trumpet player, Chad Feakins and sophomore trumpet player, Tim Gillies represented Delaware Valley in the COTA Cats Honors Jazz ensemble. The “COTA Cats”, as they are affectionately referred to, was founded in 1981 by festival founder Phil Woods. This prestigious group is comprised of jazz students from all over Northeastern Pa. Starting on Aug. 12, the group began its season with intensive three- hour rehearsals in preparation for the prime-time performance at the festival. In addition to the expert direction provided by the directors, the students were coached by some of the best professional jazz clinicians in the world. Under the direction of Kyle Glaser from East Stroudsburg South and Lance Rauh from Delaware Valley, the band performed a program of six selections. The program included two compositions written or arranged specifically for this year’s COTA Cats.