Spirit Lake, Iowa — Two KIWA listening area high school jazz bands were among eight bands competing in the Iowa High School Music Association Jazz Festival in Spirit Lake Monday, and both came away from the contest with a Division One, Superior, rating.
The jazz bands from Sibley-Ocheyedan and South O’Brien High Schools each received the Division One rating from the contest’s three-judge panel. The jazz bands were evaluated on jazz band ensemble characteristics of tone quality, blend, rhythmic feel, interpretation, precision, musicianship, solo improvisation and balance. Following the judged performance, each band had a clinic with the judges where they received additional suggestions to improve their playing. Each band is rated according to Iowa High School Music Association guidelines receiving a rating of Division One-Superior, Division Two-Excellent, Division Three-Good, Division Four-Fair, or Division Five-Poor.
Other than Sibley-Ocheyedan and South O’Brien, schools with jazz bands at the festival include; Harris-Lake Park High School, which earned a Division Three rating; Emmetsburg High School, who received a Division Two rating; Okoboji High School, who took home a Division One rating; Estherville-Lincoln Central High School, who earned a Division One rating; Spencer High School, who received a Division One rating, and the host school Spirit Lake High School, who garnered a Division One rating.
KIWA extends a hearty congratulations to Peter Carlson and his Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Jazz Band, along with Brian Cole and his South O’Brien High School Jazz Band, on earning their Division One, Superior ratings.
