2013 Iowa Jazz Championships

E.B.F.H.S. JAZZ BAND PLACES 7th AT IOWA JAZZ CHAMPIONSHIPS

On Thursday April 18^th, the Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont H.S. Jazz Band I placed 7th in class 2A competition at the Iowa Jazz Championships in Des Moines. This is the twenty-seventh year in a row that the E.B.F.H.S. Jazz Band has qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships.

Two students were honored by the judges with Outstanding Soloist Awards: Samantha Claypool; Alto Saxophone and Jessica Jones; Piano & Flute.

At the awards ceremony it was announced that Lead Jessica Jones had been chosen as an Outstanding Soloist of the Day. This prestigious honor recognizes the four top soloists out of all the bands in each class. Jessy is a junior and has earned a soloist award at every jazz competition this year.

The statewide competition is one of the nation's premiere high school jazz events. Seventy-five of Iowa's top high school jazz bands in five 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 1^st or 2^nd at their district jazz festivals or by winning at an independent jazz festival and placing ahead of an automatic qualifier.

There are 20 members in the Eddyville / Blakesburg Jazz Band this year including saxophones: Samantha Claypool, Riley Arnold, Emma Haselhuhn, Devon Severson, and Hunter Kelderman. Trumpets: Anna Haselhuhn, Gage DeLaCruz, Jacob Bunnell, and Trenton Barnett. Trombones: Heath Rice, Andrew Hart, Andrea Long, McKinley Moore, and Tayler Jones. Rhythm Section Members: Jessica Jones; Flute & Piano, Nathan McGinnis; drums, Jackson Voyles; bass, Courtney Durst; vibes, Logan Street; congas, and Andria VerSchuure; auxiliary percussion. Mr. Overton would like to thank all of the parents and friends who attended the competition for their support.