Spirit Lake, Iowa — Seven of the ten northwest Iowa high schools that participated in a jazz choir festival were from our listening area, and of those, four received the top rating.
The Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Choir Festival was held on Monday, February 6th, at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts in Spirit Lake.
From the four-county listening area, the jazz choirs of Central Lyon, South O’Brien, West Lyon, and Sheldon all received Division One or “Superior” ratings. The jazz choir from Sibley-Ocheyedan received a Divison Two or “Excellent” rating. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn’s jazz choir received a Division Three or “Good” rating. Harris-Lake Park’s jazz choir elected to receive comments only.
Other results included Akron-Westfield’s choir number two and Spirit Lake’s jazz choir, who both received Division Ones, and Akron-Westfield’s choir number one and Okoboji’s jazz choir, who both received Division Two ratings.
The jazz choirs were evaluated by three adjudicators on vocal jazz ensemble characteristics of tone quality, blend, rhythmic feel, interpretation, precision, musicianship, solo improvisation, and balance. Following the judged performance, each choir had a 20-minute clinic with the judges where they received additional suggestions to improve their vocal jazz and the groups were praised for their fine performances and display of excellent leadership. Each choir is rated according to Iowa High School Music Association guidelines receiving a rating of Division One-Superior Rating, Division Two-Excellent, Division Three-Good, or the group can choose to receive comments only.
