The Marshalltown High School Jazz band traveled to Denison High School on Jan. 28 for the Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Contest.

The band earned a Division 1 rating from all three judges with scores of 49, 49 and 47 out of a possible 50 points.

The band performed three selections: “Dark Side of the Blues” by Drake University Jazz Professor Andy Classen, “It’s a Lonesome Old Town” by jazz great Woody Herman and “I’m Free” by Rick Hirsch, a mambo tune adapted from the tune of the same name from the rock musical “Tommy.”

Soloists from MHS were Victoria Johnson, Matthew Dickey, Frank Iole, David Braga, Tim Potter, Collin Krukow, Nate Harris and Devin Carlon.

The judges were retired band directors Pete Jacobus from Glenwood, Rod Shedenhelm from Sioux Rapids and college director Paul Bloomquist from Iowa Central in Fort Dodge.

The band will travel to Cedar Falls on Feb. 19 for the Tallcorn Jazz Festival held at the University of Northern Iowa. The Tallcorn Jazz Festival is the longest held high school jazz festival in the country.

Music students take in Army band

The 34^th Army Scrap Metal Band provided a lively performance to MHS music students the morning of Feb. 1 in the MHS/Community Auditorium.

The band is based in Fairfield, Iowa and travels to schools throughout the state regularly.

34th Army Scrap Metal Band performs for MHS students on Feb. 1.