University High School Jazz Ensemble I

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Opened in 2010, University High School is located in Orange City, Florida, just 20 miles north of downtown Orlando, in the Volusia County School district with a population of 2,700 students from the cities of Deltona, DeBary and Orange City. The school’s music department is comprised of 200 students in band classes, 150 students in chorus classes, and 180 students in orchestra and guitar classes. Under the leadership and direction of Mr. David Martin, the University High School Band program has established a tradition of success in all facets of music including marching band, concert bands, and jazz bands by consistently earning superiors in all areas at the district level as well as the state level. UHS students are represented in prestigious honor jazz ensembles and concert bands at the district, and state level each year. UHS students have also been selected for the Florida All State Jazz Bands, Concert Bands, and Orchestras on a regular basis. Students graduating from the University High School band program have earned music scholarships to study music at almost all of the Universities in the state of Florida. The University Jazz Ensemble 1 was selected as a finalist for the 2016 Essentially Ellington Finals in New York City. With this selection as a finalist, the University High School Jazz Ensemble 1 became the first public high school from the state of Florida to make the finals in the 22-year history of the competition.

University High School Jazz Ensemble I

Conductor's Bio

David Martin attended the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Trombone Performance in 2008 and a Master's Degree in Trombone Performance in 2010. Some of his teachers included Tom Brantley, Mark Morgan and Keith Oshiro. He has a diverse background in all styles of music and has worked as a freelance musician and teacher throughout the Central and South Florida area. David has been the Director of Bands at University High School in Orange City, Florida for the past five years. Prior to his time at University High School, he was the Director of Bands at Wesley Chapel High School, where he grew a small band of 30 to a band of 100 in just two years. During his last year at Wesley Chapel High School, the band earned straight Superiors in all facets of the Florida Band Masters Association assessments, something that have never been accomplished at that school before. Now at University High School – just 20 miles north or Orlando – David has grown another successful band program. With 200 students enrolled, University High School’s program is comprised of three concert bands, three jazz bands, a percussion ensemble and color guard program. David Martin has grown the jazz program from one jazz band to three jazz bands. The University Jazz Ensemble 1 was selected as a finalist for the 2016 Essentially Ellington Finals in New York City. With this selection as a finalist, University High School became the first public high school from the state of Florida to make the finals in the 22-year history of the competition. The band program regularly receives superiors in marching, jazz and concert music performance assessment.