The students at Hamilton International Middle School in Wallingford are celebrating their music department. The jazz program, led by Angela Pence, won three first-place trophies during their trip to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho over spring break. The school’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble took the top prize in the Junior Division, as well as first place in the Junior Vocal Solo category. Students from the school’s Jazz Band won both first place and runner-up in the Junior Instrumental Combo category.

For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to perform in a music competition. “The festival …