Pierce Jazz Band Players Takes Home First Place at State Jazz Festival
By Keaton Vavra
The Pierce jazz band flocked to Elkhorn South High School for the state jazz festival on April 11.
The students from Pierce who participated were Josiah Ahlers, Christian Nordby, Brayden Lambrecht, Spencer Sindt, Aubrey Hanson, Trayton Christiansen, Kaylee Steffen, Keaton Vavra, Hadleigh Collison, Jayna Prochaska, Amelia Ahlers, Payton Ebmeier, Mya Johnson, Addison Frye, Maya Johnson, Aubrie Zimmerman, and Lauren Delka.
Sindt obtained the best trombone soloist award from all soloists in the two days the event took place.
“It was fun talking to other schools that enjoy jazz just as much as I do. I will definitely do it again next year. My favorite song was ‘Don’t Get Sassy,’ and my favorite part of the day was watching other schools. I would recommend that other people do it if they can,” Sindt, a sophomore trombonist and drumset player, said.
The jazz band was awarded one of the four superior awards from all bands, rated the best band in Class 2A, and got first place. The songs performed by the jazz band were “Don’t Get Sassy” composed by Thad Jones, “Come Sunday” by Duke Ellington and arranged by Rick Hirsch, and “Hit The Bricks” by Gordon Goodwin.
“The day was phone-free for me, so it was fun to just talk with others. Lunch was good, and hearing other bands was nice. My favorite song was ‘Come Sunday’ because of the sax part. If I weren’t a senior, I would do it again next year, given the chance. I would encourage other people to do it if given the chance,” Hanson, a senior alto saxophone player, said.
After the concert the band had a clinic with a professional trumpet player, which fixed what they did wrong in their songs.
