Sheldon, Iowa — Sheldon’s “Vocal Fusion” Jazz Choir is one of eight northwest Iowa groups selected to compete in Tuesday’s (March 28th) Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships.
Sheldon’s Vocal Fusion is one of two northwest Iowa groups who will be defending their 2016 Vocal Jazz Championship titles.
Area choirs competing include Akron-Westfield Groove It Or Lose It, Central Lyon Jazz, South O’Brien, and West Sioux Vocal Jazz in Class 1A. West Sioux Vocal Jazz is the defending 1A Champion.
In Class 2A, in addition to Sheldon Vocal Fusion, Sibley-Ocheyedan Night Sounds, and Boji Voices from Okoboji High School will be competing. In Class 3A, Spirit Lake Vocal Jazz will be representing northwest Iowa.
The 2017 Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships will be held at the Staplin Performing Arts Center in West Des Moines, hosted by Valley High School.
Groups chosen to participate in the event are named through an audition process.
The first Vocal Jazz competition was held in 2007 and was titled “The Best Of Iowa Jazz Choir Showcase”. In 2010 the name was changed to the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships.
The event was designed to help promote the growth of vocal jazz in Iowa by providing a venue where jazz choirs of all classes could perform representing the best vocal jazz programs in their respective classes. Over the years, schools considering the addition of vocal jazz grew and many districts added programs for students.
In 2016, 28 Ensembles from school districts around the state of Iowa were represented at the Championships. The event continues to grow and recognize the outstanding student musicians and directors in the state who devote their time and talents to vocal jazz.
