Mattituck Cutchogue School District

Mattituck student first from school named to All State Jazz Band

BETH YOUNG PHOTO | Mattituck junior Elly Bergen and her band teacher, Tim Caskin. Elly, a vibraphonist, is the first Mattituck student named to the All State Jazz Band.

Mattituck High School is celebrating this month because junior Elly Bergen is one of 17 students across New York State selected for the All State Jazz Band.

The vibraphonist is the first student the district has ever sent to the state jazz band, principal Shawn Petretti told the school board during its Sept. 20 session.

“They have to do a jazz solo. It’s a very difficult audition process. It’s very challenging,” said Tim Caskin, Elly’s band teacher.

“The hardest part is knowing if you don’t perform your best, you’re not going to be nominated,” said Elly. “I had a friend who got a 97, and you don’t even have the opportunity to get nominated. You have to get 100. They’re really big odds. I never earned 100 ever before. I couldn’t imagine it was going to happen.”

Elly played the piece “Summer Scene” by Tom Brown at her audition.

Read more about Elly’s accomplishment in the October 4 issue of The Suffolk Times.