E.B.F.H.S. JAZZ BAND COMPETES AT CHAMPIONSHIPS
E.B.F.H.S. JAZZ BAND COMPETES AT CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Tuesday April 5th, the Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont High School Jazz Band competed in class 2A competition at the Iowa Jazz Championships in Des Moines. This is the Thirtieth year in a row that the E.B.F.H.S. Jazz Band has qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships.
Maggie Voyles was honored with an Outstanding Soloist Award for her solo performances during the EBF program.
The statewide competition is one of the nation’s premiere high school jazz events. Sixty of Iowa’s top high school jazz bands in four classes compete for state championships. Top adjudicators from colleges around the Midwest listen to each of the bands and select two from each class to perform in the evening playoffs. Bands qualify for championships by placing 1st or 2nd at their district jazz festivals or by winning at an independent jazz festival and placing ahead of an automatic qualifier.
Although the band didn’t make the trophy class at championships, this has been a great year for the band. EBFHS Jazz I earned a division I rating at the State Jazz Contest, placed 2nd at the Indian Hills Jazz Festival and 1st place at the Southeast Iowa District Jazz Contest. All of the band’s soloists received Outstanding Soloist Awards at the District Contest including Outstanding Sax Section. Delanee Van Zante also won the Outstanding Soloist of the Day at Districts.
There are 23 members in the Eddyville / Blakesburg Jazz Band this year including saxophones: Delanee Van Zante, Claire Jager, Cyrus Rogers, Briana Ver Steegh, Mika Farnum & Grace Manternach (Flute), Trumpets: Teri Jo Lane, Sara Loving, Harrison Mock, Joey Voyles, & Wynter Baugher, trombones: Andrew Hart, Brandon Dicks, Caleb Johannes, & Brandon Dicks, rhythm section: Maggie Voyles; piano, Dillon Howard; drums, Carson Burrell; vibes, Kendal Durst; bass, Riley Bayliss; guitar, Connor Van Der Veer; congas, Peyton Walker & Julia Fairchild; auxiliary percussion. Mr. Overton would like to thank all of the parents and friends who attended the competitions for their support.
