Two Students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts have been selected for the Jazz Band of America, a prestigious honor ensemble recognizing the top high school jazz musicians from across the United States.
Saxophonist Spencer Carnochan and drummer Isaiah Newland were chosen through a highly competitive national audition process, earning recognition for their exceptional musicianship, creativity and dedication to their craft.
The Jazz Band of America is Music For All’s elite jazz honor ensemble, bringing together outstanding young artists from across the country. Students are selected through recorded auditions evaluated by leading music educators and professionals.
As part of Music For All’s National Festival, band members participate in intensive rehearsals and workshops in preparation for performances that emphasize advanced musicianship, collaborative improvisation and artistic excellence at the highest level.
“We are incredibly proud of the work of these two standout senior band students for their selection in the Music for All National Jazz Band of America. Spencer and Isaiah both embody the spirit of a relentless pursuit of excellence, which we seek to instill in our music students at Douglas Anderson. Being included in this elite ensemble of high-achieving young jazz musicians is an incredible honor. The experience of this event will serve as a memorable opportunity to both grow as jazz musicians and share their knowledge with others,” said Ted Shistle, director of bands at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.
Carnochan and Newland performed with the Jazz Band of America at Music For All’s National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 26-28, where they joined fellow top student musicians from across the country for a culminating concert experience. The festival provides students with the opportunity to learn from world-class musicians while showcasing their talents in an established, highly anticipated event.
This achievement builds on a growing list of accolades for Carnochan, who was also recently named a YoungArts 2026 honoree. “The Developing Artists Foundation congratulates Spencer and Isaiah as they represent Douglas Anderson and Jacksonville at the Music For All festival in March,” said Jackie Cornelius, executive director of the DA Foundation. “Opportunities like the Jazz Band of America allow talented students to see what is possible when talent and preparation meet opportunity, and the DA Foundation is honored to help make their participation in this transformative experience possible.”
To learn more about the Developing Artists Foundation and its work supporting Jacksonville’s next generation of artists, go to developingartistsfoundation.org.
