Middle School Jazz Band performs at JazzFest

The Washington Middle School Jazz Band performed at the SEIBA Jazzfest at West High School in Iowa City on Saturday, March 4, and placed first in the Small Class Jr. High (Class 1A-3A middle schools) out of 9 bands.

The Jazz band had two students receive solo awards: Charlie Henriksen on alto saxophone and Quinn Wubbena on piano.

The band performed for an audience and three judges, then spent about a half hour with a clinician who watched their performance and worked with them after their performance.

Their selections included Mack The Knife with soloists Evan Miller (trumpet), Sarah Newman (alto sax), Quinn Wubbena, (piano) and Nolan Watson (drums); An interlude, flute solo by Chloe McGuire on flute accompanied by Quinn on piano; Yesterday, with solos by Evan Miller (trumpet) and Sarah Newman (alto sax). Their final number was St. Thomas featuring solos from Evan Miller (trumpet), Charlie Henriksen (Alto Sax), Sarah Newman (Alto Sax), Christopher Wallerich (Bari Sax) and Chloe McGuire (bass guitar).

WMS Jazz Z Band Members are: alto sax: Sarah Newman and Charlie Henriksen; tenor sax: Noah Kleese and Raven Carnes; bari sax: Christopher Wallerich; trombone: Quentin Howard, Emma Herr, Alexis Ide, Alec Schiefer, and Anna Venenga; clarinet: Ella Goings; trumpet: Evan Miller, Brett Antczak, Anna Miller, Chance Brown, Emmy Geyer, and Gabe Newton; piano: Quinn Wubbena and Brett Antczak; drum set: Nolan Watson and Quinn Wubbena; bass guitar and flute: Chloe McGuire.

The Washington Middle School Band director is Craig McClenahan.