News : Area Jazz Bands all earn Division 1 ratings at NEIBA event in Vinton

Drummer Kelsey Gerhold began the Benton Community Jazz Band performance.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Jazz Band plays for the judges Saturday.

Director Scott Weber leads the BC Jazz Band in warmups in the VSHS media center.

The CPU Jazz Band performed Saturday morning in Vinton.

Vinton-Shellsburg again hosted the NEIBA Jazz Band Festival Saturday in the VSHS auditorium. Middle School bands also performed, in the band room.

The Vinton-Shellsburg, Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana and Union bands all received the highest distinction, a Division 1 rating. Vinton-Shellsburg finished second among the 19 jazz bands that performed, earning an automatic invitation to the Iowa Jazz Championships next month.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Jazz Band received an "Excellent" rating, the second-highest possible.