Five Students Selected for Prestigious State Music Program

Jazz SA Superbands Selections

Westminster’s music program has celebrated a major milestone, with five students earning a place in the prestigious and highly competitive Jazz SA Superbands program. 

 The annual initiative has been nurturing the state’s top young musicians for the past 20 years, providing a platform for students aged 14 to 25 years to develop and extend their skills in big band jazz. 

Jazz SA Superbands brings together talented musicians from across South Australia to form three big bands, each led by a different experienced director every term, ensuring that students benefit from a wide range of expertise and mentorship. 

This year’s selected Westminster musicians include Henry Ruckert Year 9 (Saxophone), Harry Panton Year 10 (Guitar), Janet Wang Year 11 (Trombone), Dylan Wood Year 12 (Bass) and Hugh Smith Year 12 (Saxophone). 

Westminster's Director of Music, Michael Degenhart said that Jazz SA Superbands was a showcase of the state’s brightest young jazz talent. 

“Being part of this program is an incredible opportunity for our musicians to extend their skills, perform in a high-calibre big band and learn from some of the best directors in the field,” he said. 

 "The competitive audition process makes it a remarkable achievement to have five Westminster students selected in 2025." 

This year, saxophonist Hugh Smith celebrates his fifth year of selection in the Jazz SA Superbands program. 

"Being able to meet other musicians from different schools, both younger and older, has made this program an invaluable experience,” Hugh said. 

“Over the years, I’ve had amazing opportunities to learn and grow under different directors, as well as explore a variety of repertoires that I wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance to.” 

The Jazz SA Superbands program consists of three bands —Superband 1, 2, and 3 — each catering to different levels of experience, with Superband 1 representing the highest level of achievement.  

Rehearsals take place at the University of Adelaide over eight sessions per term, culminating in an end-of-term concert that showcases the students’ hard work and progress.  

For more information please visit www.jazzsa.org.au. 

Learn more about Henry, Harry, Janet, Dylan and Hugh below. 

Henry Ruckert, Year 9 Saxophone 

Having begun his musical journey in Year 5 with clarinet, Henry discovered his love of jazz after taking up the saxophone at the end of Year 7. Over the years, the Year 9 student has become heavily involved in the school’s music program, performing in Big Band 1, Big Band 2, Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Orchestra, and Concert Band. 

In addition to his school commitments, Henry attended the prestigious 4-day jazz course at the WAAPA University. His love for jazz continues to drive his musical growth and performance. 

Harry Panton, Year 10 Guitar 

Harry is a Year 10 student at Westminster, specialising in guitar and cello. A passionate performer, he played guitar at the Royal Show in 2022 and helped Big Band 1 win Generations in Jazz in 2024. He is also involved in Senior Orchestra, Senior Rock Band, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and is set to perform in the 2025 school musical. Additionally, he has been the lead guitarist for both the 2023 and 2024 junior plays. 

Outside of school, Harry has formed two different genre-specific bands, with one making their debut at The Gov in late 2024 and several performances planned for the future. 

Janet Wang, Year 11 Trombone 

Throughout Janet’s time at Westminster, she has played trombone in Big Band 1 and Concert Band as well as being a part of Vocal Jazz and Choir. Janet has also been involved in statewide program, Generations in Jazz for the past three years, with one of her proudest achievements being selected as the lead trombone for Division 2 in the Generations in Jazz Superband.  

Dylan Wood, Year 12 Bass 

Dylan is a talented bass player with a strong passion for both jazz and big band performances. A key member of both Westminster Jazz Ensemble and Big Band 1, this will be Dylan’s first year selected in the Jazz SA Superbands program. 

His standout achievement came last year when he helped lead Big Band 1 to first place in their section at the Generations in Jazz competition. 

Hugh Smith, Year 12 Saxophone 

Hugh is a skilled saxophonist with extensive experience performing in top-tier jazz ensembles. At Westminster he is an active performer in Big Band 1, the Jazz Ensemble and the Senior Concert Band. The year 12 student has been a consistent member of the Jazz SA Superbands program from 2019 to 2025. In 2024, he also featured in the Generations In Jazz Superband and was awarded the Best Saxophone Section in Division 2 at the Generations in Jazz competition. 

He also occasionally plays with the Airbenders, a jazz band performing at the Gilbert Street Hotel.