The Westbrook High School Jazz Ensemble won first place at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston last weekend.

Under the direction of Kyle Smith, the jazz musicians took home the top prize at what’s known as the largest high school jazz festival in the United States.

According to Michelle Snow, Westbrook’s director of music K-12, the jazz ensemble was featured in the evening concert at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Snow said that in addition to the team accomplishment, two Westbrook High School students received judges’ choice awards for superior performance. Danny Porell, on trumpet, and Kemal Pohan, on drums, received the nods.

“These students have been working since November to prepare and perform their very challenging music,” Snow said Monday. “To place first in a festival of this caliber speaks volumes about the talent and work ethic of the students and of their director, Kyle Smith.”

Smith said Monday that the students have a great amount of talent, but also react well to being challenged.

“This hard work is the reason they were able to relax, perform at a high level, and ultimately win first place,” he said. “I am very proud of our kids.”

The Westbrook High School Jazz Ensemble consists of Danny Porell, Matt Blake, Ian Douglass, Cassidy Kellogg, Jack Shibles, Henry Waite, Callie Gorham, Savannah Schelling, Emily Cyr, Maura Rielly, Alex Cottrell, Britney Crocker, Kim Do, Autumn DiRenzo, Mikayla McClure, Dylan Ho, Hailey Francoeur, Milo Brooking, Kemal Pohan and Hayden Stacki.

The Westbrook Jazz Ensemble took home first place at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston.