News : VSHS Jazz Band wins first-ever First Place at NEIBA Festival; advances to State

Nick Gardner was named Oustanding Soloist; Alyssa Cantrell & Claire Andreesen were also honored.

Jazz Band members and Mr. Smith with their first place trophy.

Jazz Band members celebrate their first place finish.

Eighth-grader Jenna Thompson played with both VSMS and VSHS Jazz Bands in NEIBA competition.

Alyssa Cantrell

Caleb Bendull

Steph Berry plays a solo.

Lisa Lang, wife of Indy Band Dir. David Lang, presents the first place trophy to Mr. Smith.

Katie Langstraat

The Vinton-Shellsburg Jazz Band won the 2013 NEIBA Jazz Festival for the first time in school history (since consolidation), and earned an automatic berth to the 2013 Iowa Jazz Championships on Saturday afternoon. Sax players Claire Andreesen and Alyssa Cantrell were selected as two of the five outstanding soloists for the day, and Nick Gardner was selected as the top soloist for the entire NEIBA Jazz Festival for his sax solo; he also performed a clarinet solo.

"This has been a really great year and this year's jazz band has been so terrific: such a hard working, talented, and special group of students," says VSHS Band Director Karl Smith. "As for our students, I'm so proud of them. Our goal has been to get better with every rehearsal and performance, and focus on one event at a time. We have celebrated our successes after each event, but managed to stay focused on continued and improved learning and performance. Any of the successes that we have achieved this year have been possible because of our students and parents. There is no doubt, we are all excited to get back to the Iowa Jazz Championships. It is such a great venue, but we also value our friendship with the Independence Band Program and its students. I collaborate a lot with my friends and colleagues, Mr. and Mrs. Lang, but I know how much our students and parents get along and cheer for each other. It is a really special relationship, and I know our students are excited to have a great time in Des Moines with their Independence band friends."

Independence finished in second place and also earned an automatic spot in the Jazz Championships.

The 2013 Iowa Jazz Championships will take place Wednesday, April 17- Friday, April 19. This is the 6th time in school history that the jazz band has qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships.

Mr. Smith also thanked those who helped with Saturday's event, which the VS band members and their families hosted.

"A big thank you to the band booster parents and band students for their help in preparing for and running the NEIBA event, and next week's concessions at the Speech event," said Smith. "Thank you to the community businesses that made very generous donations and helped sponsor our concession stand (Pizza Hut, Pizza Ranch, John's Qwik Stop, McDonalds, Casey's General Store and Farmers Savings Bank and Trust)."

Other important news from the VSHS Jazz Band:

Gardner to play in All-State Jazz Band for third straight year

Nick Gardner has been selected for the 2013 Class 3A Iowa All-State Jazz Band. Nick is first student to be a 3 year All-Stater in Vinton-Shellsburg music department school history. Nick has been selected as Lead Tenor for the second year in a row. He will perform at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines May 8-9. More information will be announced at a later date.

Last event of regular season March 9 in Charles City

The Vinton-Shellsburg Jazz Band will be concluding its regular season next Saturday (Saturday, March 9) at the Charles City Jazz Festival. Their scheduled performance time is at 7:15 P.M. at the Charles City Middle School Auditorium.

Past Performances:

On Saturday, January 12, the jazz band performed at the 2013 IHSMA State Jazz Festival. The jazz band earned their 5th straight Division I rating at the IHSMA state jazz event.

On Saturday, February 15, the jazz band competed at the 2013 UNI Tallcorn Jazz Festival and placed 3rd. Nick Gardner was recognized as an outstanding soloist at the festival.

On Friday, February 22, the jazz band competed at the 2013 Coe College Jazz Summit and placed 3rd. Nick Gardner and Claire Andreesen were 2 of the 5 recognized outstanding soloists for the 3 day festival.

Months of preparation

While most observers only hear about Jazz Band a few weekends in the spring, participation in this select group of musicians takes place during seven of the nine months of the school years.

Band memers audition for Jazz Band the first part of October and start rehearsals right after the auditions. The Jazz and rehearses at 6:45 a.m. every Monday, Wed. and Friday from the middle of October until the end of March or April depending on if they qualify for State. So, their season is the longest season of any extra curricular activity. The band competes in various competitions to earn wildcard points to qualify for State. Each district in the state has their own competition and the first and second place winners qualify for the State competition.