William Floyd High School senior Jackson Seifert has been selected for a second consecutive year to participate in The Juilliard Pre-College program, where he will serve as Principal Trombone in The Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra. This program is known for its conservatory-style approach and is designed for students who demonstrate significant talent and potential in music.
Following his final solo performance last June, Seifert was invited to return for another year at Juilliard’s pre-college division. As part of this opportunity, he performed with Weston Sprott, dean and director of the Preparatory Division at The Juilliard School, co-founder of the Black Orchestral Network, and trombonist with the Metropolitan Orchestra.
In addition to his achievements at Juilliard, Seifert earned a place at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Summer Program last summer. There, he participated in both the Trombone Workshop and Young Artists Wind Ensemble and was named an alternate for the Orchestra. He studied under Matthew Wright of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Stephen Lange, Second Trombone of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and professor at the New England Conservatory.
Seifert also achieved All-State selections in four categories this year after receiving perfect scores on each audition. These included Symphony Orchestra trombone, Instrumental Jazz tenor trombone, Instrumental Jazz bass trombone, and alternate for bass trombone—a school record. Alongside seven peers from William Floyd High School, he performed at the NYSSMA All-State Conference held in Rochester from December 4-7. He was also accepted into the Suffolk County High School Jazz Ensemble and NYSCAME All-County Concert Band. Additionally, he was named Principal Trombone in the Suffolk Principal Orchestra within the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.
Seifert has been chosen to perform a solo with the Sound Symphony Orchestra during an upcoming concert at JFK Middle School in Port Jefferson Station. The Sound Symphony presents concerts throughout the year featuring both classical and contemporary works by community musicians.
During his junior year, Seifert received several honors including NYSCAME All-County recognition, SCMEA All-County Jazz selection, NYSSMA All-State honors, and All-Eastern honors from the National Association for Music Education—one of highest recognitions available to high school musicians nationally. His awards date back to eighth grade when he attended William Paca Middle School.
Currently touring colleges and working with various professors as part of his application process, Seifert awaits results from pre-screening submissions ahead of final auditions scheduled between January and March.
"Congratulations, Jackson!"