Lisbon High School hosted the Lisbon Jazz Festival Thursday, Jan. 23, at Lisbon Schools.
Junior high outstanding soloist went to Hudson Thirtyacre of Solon for playing on the vibes.
In class 1A, Winfield Mount Union placed first, with Central City in second. Outstanding soloist went to Brian Pogmore of Winfield Mount Union on trombone.
In class 2A, Lisbon placed first, Union second and Maquoketa Valley third. Outstanding soloist went to Sawyer Feldman of Lisbon on trumpet.
In class 3A, Mount Vernon placed first, Center Point-Urbana second and Anamosa third. Outstanding soloist went to Will Turner of Mount Vernon on clarinet.
“This was a huge success with 18 bands taking part,” said director Joseph Arch of Lisbon. “Thank you to all the judges, directors, students, and volunteers who made this event a success.”
Eighteen jazz bands had the opportunity to perform their charts in front of adjudicators, who gave critiques and advice on what to improve between now and upcoming state contests.
Lisbon’s jazz ensemble kicked off the event in the auditorium on Thursday morning, and one of the judges who saw the bands last year noted how much better the band sounded this year.
“Your group has shown a lot of improvement since playing last year,” the judge said. “You’re way further along in improvisation this year than you were last year.”
Lisbon’s Jazz Lab, a group of musicians who are mostly playing on a second instrument (not their primary instrument) had some praise from judges about how well they are doing on the second instruments.
“One of the issues we pointed out, you’re already making adjustments and improvements on right now,” the judge said. “That’s because these aren’t habits you’ve had for years playing this instrument, but something easier to correct now.”
For Mount Vernon Middle School, director Elise Rodenberg said this was the first time the group had ever participated in a jazz festival event.
Adjudicators in that session helped get across the point of emphasizing the notes and style of jazz playing and how it differed from traditional concert play.
Across multiple sessions, judges reiterated to students the importance of the rhythm sections.
Both Mount Vernon and Lisbon jazz bands also performed at a state jazz competition at Mount Vernon Monday, Jan. 27, at Mount Vernon’s Performing Arts Center.