Pierce Heads to the NECC Jazz Band Festival
By Haley Scholting
Pierce’s jazz band headed to Norfolk on March 31, to compete in this year’s Northeast Community College (NECC) Jazz Band Festival. The jazz band played a total of three songs while at Northeast–the same ones they had played previously in the year at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) contest.
During the competition, the band went against four other bands from three different states. Coming on top, the jazz band placed first on level two.
“It wasn’t our best performance, but we were able to power through and make great music,” junior lead trumpet Payton Ebmeier said.
Pierce also had two soloists participate. These two include senior Mya Johnson and junior Spencer Sindt. Johnson and Sindt both earned a good on their solos. Additionally, Sindt earned the best solo out of all four schools.
Furthermore, this event was located at Northeast Community College at the Cox Activities Center, and it lasted for two days. On the first day–March 30–there are show choir and jazz band performances. The second day–March 31–there are only jazz band performances. Pierce only competed on the second day early in the morning.
“It went pretty well, and we got first place overall. It was a very fun experience overall, and I was very happy we got first place,” Jayna Prochaska, a junior saxophonist and first timer at the festival, said.
The jazz band will be performing next week at the state jazz festival at Elkhorn South High School.
