Marshalltown High School hosted the Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Band Festival on January 23 in the MHS/Community Auditorium. Judges were Steve Citta from Cedar Falls, Jim Vowels from Waverly and Kevin Brown from Iowa City.
Schools attending were Marshalltown, South Hamilton, Roland Story, East Marshall, South Tama, Benton Community, GMG and Vinton Shellsburg. Schools performed and then received an on stage clinic from the three judges.
Marshalltown Jazz II performed for comments only and Marshalltown Jazz I earned a Division I rating from all three judges. MHS Jazz I has earned a Division I for the last seven years.
Other school ratings include GMG a Division I, East Marshall a Division II, South Hamilton a Division I, Roland Story a Division I, South Tama Division II, Benton Community a Division I and Vinton Shellsburg a Division I.
“Thank you to all the students, parents and staff who helped in making the festival evening a well run event,” said MHS Director of Instrumental Music Bret Lee.
The Marshalltown jazz bands will travel to Southeast Polk High School on February 11 to compete in the SEP Jazz Fest.
