(IOWA CITY, Iowa) – The Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont (EBF) High School Jazz band was hard at work on Saturday competing in class 2A at the South East Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Contest. The fruits of their labor paid off when they came home with a second-place finish just behind Mid-Prairie High School, qualifying them for the Iowa Jazz Championships at Iowa State University on April 5.
Only the first and second place finishers from the South East Iowa Bandmasters Districts were eligible to go on to the Iowa Jazz Championships. Outstandingly, this is the 32nd year in a row that the band has qualified for championships.
Under the direction of Joe Overton, the band was able to take home awards overall as well as for individual performances. Several students received an Outstanding Soloist Award for their solo performances: Kendal Durst for bass; Grace Manternach for flute; Eric Schutt for trombone; Harrison Mock for trumpet; Julia Fairchild for vibes; Cyrus Rogers for tenor sax; Elijah Hartman for drums; Maggie Voyles for piano; Tara Diephius for tenor sax; Cameron Kolthoff for trumpet; Delanee Van Zante for alto sax; and Emma Mock for clarinet. The EBF Sax Section also received an Outstanding Section Award for their superior performance.
What’s next? The EBF High School Jazz Band is off to perform in concert with the Junior High Jazz Band on Thursday, March 22 at the EBF High School at 7:00 PM. After that, it’s on to the Iowa Jazz Championships in Ames on April 5 at ISU. The band will take the stage at 9:00 AM for the 2A contest.
“Friends and supporters of the band are encouraged to attend and lend your support,” said Joe Overton, Band Director, via a media release sent on Monday, March 5.