High School Jazz Bands do well over weekend

Mt. Pleasant High School jazz bands had a successful weekend in two competitions. On Saturday, Feb. 23, they participated in the Indian Hills JazzFest in Ottumwa. Jazz 1 took first place honors among Class 3A bands while Jazz 2 placed second in the 3A Second Bands division.

Judges at the JazzFest recognized the following Mt. Pleasant students for outstanding musicianship: Callie DePriest, Jonathan Myers, Luke Ryon, Paige Stater, Kionna Parrish, Lucas Lee, Drake Snavely, Annika Rynders and Garrett Maddy.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, both bands participated in the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids. Over 90 bands took part in the three-day contest and Saturday evening it was learned that Jazz 2 placed second in the 3A Second Bands category. Jazz 2's Kionna Parrish received an Honorable Mention Musician award.

On March 2 both high school jazz bands and the middle school jazz band will be participating in the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Festival in Iowa City.