Waukee Jazz Band Takes Top Honors at State Contest

Submitted by the Waukee Jazz Band Program

Waukee Jazz I, under the direction of Wayne Page, received first place in class 4A at the Iowa Jazz Championships held April 10, 2012 - topping off five consecutive years of top three finishes.

The Iowa Jazz Championships showcases 60 of the state’s finest high school jazz ensembles. It is held in Des Moines every April and features 15 groups from each of the four Iowa high school classifications. All ensembles perform in the daytime competition, and the top two bands from each classification perform in the evening finals competition. The event was founded by Iowa jazz educators over thirty years ago and continues to be an important event on the Iowa high school music landscape each spring.

This year, Waukee Jazz I qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships by earning 1^st place honors at the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Festival in December. The band then received a Division I rating at State Contest in Marshalltown, received 2^nd place at the Jim Coffin Jazz Festival, and was the highest rated Iowa band at the Hoover Jazz Festival in their respective class.

The band performed the following selections: Koobism, Chelsea Bridge, Moanin’ Mambo, and Caravan.

Waukee musicians receiving Outstanding Soloist recognition were: Ryan Bernard – drums, Patrick Cunningham – vibes, Dustin Eubanks – bari saxophone and Derek Pyle – trombone.

Derek Pyle was one of four top soloists recognized overall in class 4A. This is the fourth year Derek has received this honor.

Iowa Public Television recorded the Iowa Jazz Championship finals. Check local listings the first week of May for details.

Students audition for Waukee Jazz I – one of three high school jazz bands in Waukee. Students in Waukee Jazz I include:

Saxophones:

Justin Page

LiMay Vong

Jenner Lathrop

Joel Berner

Dustin Eubanks

Trombones:

Derek Pyle

Zoe Scheve

Sebastien Mueller

David Carlson

Trumpet:

Sarah McEntee

Maddie Nevenhoven

Brian Dannenmueller

Ashley Young

Rhythm:

Erika Lewis

Michael Sacco
Ryan Bernard

Patrick Cunningham

Trevor Else