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Washington Evening Journal
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WMU’s mixed grade jazz band holds their own
Competing against high school jazz bands doesn’t keep WMU’s mixed junior high and high school jazz band down
WINFIELD — Winfield-Mt. Union jazz band consisting of a mix of junior high and high school students held their own as they showed off their skills at the Iowa Jazz Championships among 60 of the state’s finest high school jazz ensembles.
With a first-place finish at the SEIBA Jazz Festival at the beginning of March the 16-member ensemble automatically earned an invitation to the Iowa Jazz Championship (IJC) in Ames. According to IJC, WMU’s jazz band was one of 15 groups in their classification.
While WMU’s jazz band is a mix of junior high and high school students, they consistently compete against ensembles comprised of only high school students, and obviously hold their own.
According to Band Director Lindsey Pogmore, younger students may move up in competitions, but older students cannot move down. Additionally, competitions require that the bands remain primarily made of high school students to compete in the high school contests. Currently WMU’s jazz band consists of three junior high musicians, three graduating seniors, and 10 students in between.
“We hope the group continues to thrive as we get new kids involved,” Pogmore said.
This past year the mixed jazz band has utilized numerous resources to prepare for contests like the Iowa Jazz Championships. Pogmore partnered with former longtime Mt. Pleasant Band Director Jim DePriest one morning in February as the ensemble prepared for competition season.
Additionally, at the end of 2023, Latin percussion and jazz educator, clinician, and performer from Iowa City James Dreier stopped in at WMU to work with the jazz band in a 90-minute clinic on music of Cuba, Cha-Cha-Cha, and Clave patterns.
The hard work of students, creative partnerships created by Pogmore, and educational efforts of visiting educators paid off as they played Kidney Stew Blues, Gentle One, and El Pollo Rojo at the Iowa Jazz Championships.
“The kids played really well,” Pogmore said. “We left feeling really great about progress we made from the beginning of the year to now.”
After completing their competitive season, WMU Jazz Band isn’t quite done yet. According to Pogmore the Winfield community will be able to catch them in action at the school’s spring concert May 14.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
