The 5th International Children’s Jazz Festival-Competition Pacific Fusion has come to a close at ILS. The second day of the event was rich in complex instrumental compositions, with ensembles, orchestras and soloists striving to give their very best performance and impress the judges.
“These were two brilliant, unforgettable days,” notes ILS Principal Olga Shevchenko. “We can say with confidence that Vladivostok and the region are now home to a very significant musical event. Pacific Fusion began with a small jazz concert by the ILS ensemble Sound Wave, but over the years has grown up, as have our own students and our guests – young performers from children’s music schools.”
The geographical reach of the festival is steadily increasing, and this year we were joined by the Vishenka Russian folk wind instruments ensemble, whose performance earned them the grand prize at thefifth Pacific Fusion.
“The more jazz you offer, the higher your evaluation,” explains judges’ panel chairperson Anatoly Smirnov, an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, who serves as artistic director and lead conductor of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. “Over the past year, the performers’ level has risen significantly. We understand that jazz is a difficult genre, but most of our contestants handled their musical challenges brilliantly.”
