Rynders names Outstanding Sololoist

Mt. Pleasant High School's Jazz 1 took first-place honors among nine bands Saturday, March 2, at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Festival in Iowa City. This top finish qualifies them to participate in the Iowa Jazz Championships held at Iowa State University in Ames at 11 a.m. on April 2.

During the festival, Annika Rynders, a saxophonist in the Mt. Pleasant High School Jazz 1 ensemble, was named the Outstanding Soloist among nine Class 3A bands.

Also competing at the district contest were Jazz 2, placing second out of seven bands in their category, and the Middle School Jazz Band placing second among nine schools in their division.

Jazz 1 is directed by Jim DePriest, while Laura Westfall directs Jazz 2 and Adam Creager directs the Middle School Jazz Band.