NORFOLK, NE – Middle and high school student musicians competed for top honors at the 37th Annual Northeast Community College Jazz Festival in the Cox Activities Center on the Northeast campus recently in Norfolk.
The two-day event drew 75 musical groups from Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The competition hosted jazz bands and show/jazz choirs for schools in four levels. Twenty trophies were presented at the end of each competition day for first, second, third, and fourth place and solo and instrumental awards.
Margaret Schultz, music instructor and accompanist at Northeast, said the Jazz Festival helps students develop as musicians and shows them what other schools are doing.
“It presents them a valuable educational opportunity to perform in front of quality adjudicators and other students. Pride is visible in these students when they perform, and they look forward to competing again the next year.”
“In conjunction with Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble’s support, our Northeast students help work the festival. Exposure to Northeast allows Jazz Festival participants to find out that they can choose any career path at Northeast and still participate in all the musical groups we have here on campus.”
The event is sponsored by the Northeast Community College music department and the Norfolk Area Jazz Ensemble (NAJE). NAJE uses the proceeds to support student musicians with scholarships and to promote music activities at the college.
LEVEL IV (JUNIOR HIGH) TROPHY WINNERS - SHOW CHOIR
FIRST PLACE: Norfolk Junior High School, Norfolk
SECOND PLACE: Fremont Middle School, Fremont
THIRD PLACE: Pierce Junior High School, Pierce
FOURTH PLACE: Elkhorn Valley Schools, Tilden
LEVEL IV (JUNIOR HIGH) OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY:
Samara Follette, Norfolk Junior High School, Norfolk
LEVEL IV (JUNIOR HIGH) TROPHY WINNERS - JAZZ BAND
FIRST PLACE: Fremont Middle School, Fremont
SECOND PLACE: Kirn Middle School #1, Council Bluffs, IA
THIRD PLACE: Pender Junior High School, Pender
FOURTH PLACE: Norfolk Junior High School #1, Norfolk
OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST TROPHY:
Daxon Kindred, Trumpet, Kirn Middle School #1, Council Bluffs, IA
LEVEL III (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - SHOW CHOIR
FIRST PLACE: Norfolk Catholic High School, Norfolk
SECOND PLACE: Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington
THIRD PLACE: Ord High School, Ord
FOURTH PLACE: Centennial Public School, Utica
LEVEL III (HIGH SCHOOL) OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Elijah Wiezorek, Centennial Public School, Utica
LEVEL III (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - VOCAL JAZZ
FIRST PLACE: Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
SECOND PLACE: Miller High School, Miller, SD
THIRD PLACE: Stanton High School, Stanton
FOURTH PLACE: Jones County Schools, Murdo, SD
OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Delaney Fitzgerald, Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
LEVEL III (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - JAZZ BAND
FIRST PLACE: Pender Public Schools, Pender
SECOND PLACE: Homer Public School, Homer
THIRD PLACE: Randolph Public Schools, Randolph
FOURTH PLACE: Ponca Public School, Ponca
LEVEL III (HIGH SCHOOL) OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Shannon Haselhorst, Alto Saxophone, Randolph Public Schools, Randolph
LEVEL II (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - SHOW CHOIR
FIRST PLACE: Holdrege High School, Holdrege
SECOND PLACE: Pierce High School, Pierce
THIRD PLACE: Boyden-Hull High School, Hull, IA
FOURTH PLACE: Gothenburg Public Schools, Gothenburg
LEVEL II (HIGH SCHOOL) OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Dylan Hatting, Boyden-Hull High School, Hull, IA
LEVEL II TROPHY WINNERS - VOCAL JAZZ
FIRST PLACE: Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
SECOND PLACE: Fairbury High School, Fairbury
LEVEL II (HIGH SCHOOL) OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Abbie Lorimar, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
LEVEL II (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - JAZZ BAND
FIRST PLACE: Waverly School District, Waverly
SECOND PLACE: Pierce High School, Pierce
THIRD PLACE: Dakota Valley High School, North Sioux City, SD
FOURTH PLACE: Wayne High School, Wayne
LEVEL II (HIGH SCHOOL) OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Yash Gupta, Bass Guitar, Dakota Valley High School, North Sioux City, SD
LEVEL I (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - SHOW CHOIR
FIRST PLACE: Hastings High School, Hastings
SECOND PLACE: Lincoln High School, Lincoln
THIRD PLACE: Norfolk Senior High School #1, Norfolk
FOURTH PLACE: Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, IA
OUTSTANDING VOCAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Isaiah Brant, Hastings High School, Hastings
LEVEL I (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - VOCAL JAZZ
FIRST PLACE: Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA
SECOND PLACE: Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, IA
THIRD PLACE: Columbus High School, Columbus
OUTSTANDING VOCAL JAZZ SOLOIST TROPHY
Lauren Fenwick, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA
LEVEL I (HIGH SCHOOL) TROPHY WINNERS - JAZZ BAND
FIRST PLACE: Elkhorn South High School #1, Omaha
SECOND PLACE: Lincoln Northeast High School #1, Lincoln
THIRD PLACE: Norfolk Senior High School #1, Norfolk
FOURTH PLACE: Fremont High School #1, Fremont
OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST TROPHY
Jackson Wohlenhaus, Tenor Saxophone, Elkhorn South High School #1, Omaha
THE FOLLOWING JAZZ BANDS RECEIVED “SUPERIOR” (I) RATINGS:
Pender Junior High School, Pender
Kirn Middle School #1, Council Bluffs, IA
Fremont Middle School, Fremont
Pender High School, Pender
Randolph High School, Randolph
Homer High School, Homer
Waverly High School, Waverly
Pierce High School, Pierce
Elkhorn South High School #1, Omaha
Norfolk High School #1, Norfolk
Lincoln Northeast High School #1, Lincoln
Millard South High School #1, Omaha
Lincoln Southwest High School, Lincoln
Papillion LaVista South High School, Papillion
Lincoln Northeast High School #1, Lincoln
Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA
THE FOLLOWING JAZZ BANDS RECEIVED “EXCELLENT” (II) RATINGS:
Norfolk Junior High School #2, Norfolk
Kirn Middle School #2, Council Bluffs, IA
Norfolk Junior High School #1, Norfolk
Wilber-Clatonia High School, Wilber
Norfolk Catholic High School, Norfolk
Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington
Centennial High School, Utica
Oakland-Craig High School, Oakland
Miller High School, Miller, SD
Stanton High School, Stanton
Ponca High School, Ponca
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge High School, Laurel
Winside High School, Winside
Osmond High School, Osmond
Wayne High School, Wayne
Dakota Valley High School, North Sioux City, SD
Fairbury High School, Fairbury
Gothenburg High School, Gothenburg
Norfolk High School #2, Norfolk
Elkhorn South High School #2, Omaha
Millard South High School #2, Omaha
Columbus High School, Columbus
Norris High School, Firth
Millard South High School #1, Omaha
Fremont High School #2, Fremont
Lincoln Northeast #2, Lincoln
Fremont High School #1, Fremont
THE FOLLOWING JAZZ BANDS RECEIVED “GOOD” (III) RATINGS:
Elkhorn Valley High School, Tilden
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS RECEIVED SOLO CERTIFICATES FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE:
Briean Bruns, Trumpet, Pender Junior High School, Pender
Cameron Winger, Alto Saxophone, Kirn Middle School #2, Council Bluffs, IA
Nick Bloemker, Tenor Saxophone, Fremont Middle School, Fremont
Daxon Kindred, Trumpet, Kirn Middle School #1, Council Bluffs, IA
Sadie Uhing, Flugelhorn, Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington
Rosalia Paredes, Trombone, Pender High School, Pender
Cody Martin, Bari Saxophone, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge High School, Laurel
Tyson Junck, Trumpet, Randolph High School, Randolph
Erin Georgesen, Piano, Homer High School, Homer
Lane McRoberts, Trumpet, Homer High School, Homer
Filo Habib, Alto Saxophone, Waverly High School, Waverly
Yash Gupta, Bass Guitar, Dakota Valley High School, North Sioux City, SD
Henry Tomsa, Bass Guitar, Elkhorn South High School #1, Omaha
Jackson Wohlenhaus, Tenor Saxophone, Elkhorn South High School #1, Omaha
Ethan Riegsecker, Piano, Lincoln Northeast High School #2, Lincoln
Steven Buer, Flugelhorn, Fremont High School #1, Fremont
Cole Kempeke, Guitar, Lincoln Northeast High School #1, Lincoln
THE FOLLOWING SHOW CHOIRS RECEIVED “SUPERIOR” (I) RATINGS:
Norfolk Junior High School, Norfolk
Fremont Middle School, Fremont
Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington
Norfolk Catholic High School, Norfolk
Ord High School, Ord
Pierce High School, Pierce
Boyden-Hull High School, Hull, IA
Holdrege High School, Holdrege
Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha
Norfolk High School #2, Norfolk
Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, IA
Columbus High School #2, Columbus
Norfolk High School #1, Norfolk
Hastings High School, Hastings
Lincoln High School, Lincoln
Columbus High School #1, Columbus
THE FOLLOWING SHOW CHOIRS RECEIVED “EXCELLENT” (II) RATINGS:
Pierce Junior High, Pierce
Elkhorn Valley High School, Tilden
Centennial High School, Utica
Elkhorn Valley High School, Tilden
Ponca Public School, Ponca
Gothenburg High School, Gothenburg
THE FOLLOWING SHOW CHOIRS RECEIVED “GOOD” (III) RATINGS:
Laurel-Concord Coleridge High School, Laurel
THE FOLLOWING VOCAL JAZZ CHOIRS RECEIVED “SUPERIOR” (I) RATINGS:
Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
Stanton High School, Stanton
Miller High School, Miller
Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Fairbury High School, Fairbury
Columbus High School, Columbus
Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA
Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, IA
THE FOLLOWING VOCAL JAZZ CHOIRS RECEIVED “GOOD” (III) RATINGS:
Jones County School, Murdo, SD
THE FOLLOWING VOCAL SOLOISTS RECEIVED SOLO CERTIFICATES FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE:
Samara Follette, Norfolk Junior High, Norfolk
Daniel Sours, Norfolk Junior High, Norfolk
Bethany Miller, Fremont Middle School, Fremont
Josie Bell, Fremont Middle School, Fremont
Marlee Weidner, Norfolk Catholic High School, Norfolk
Cole Gocke, Centennial High School, Utica
Elijah Wiezorek, Centennial High School, Utica
Morgan Janssen, Ponca High School, Ponca
Nia McClure, Ord High School, Ord
Abby Turner, Miller High School, Miller, SD
Sydney Jessen, Miller High School, Miller, SD
Emma Kuhn, Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
Luke Miles, Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
Delaney Fitzgerald, Brownell-Talbot School, Omaha
Elise Visscher, Boyden-Hull High School, Hull, IA
Dylan Hatting, Boyden-Hull High School, Hull, IA
Ty Urbom, Holdrege High School, Holdrege
Addison Johnson, Holdrege High School, Holdrege
Allee Bounds, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Jackson Finnegan, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Sophia Grusscia, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Abbie Lorimor, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Sydney Major, Glenwood High School, Glenwood, IA
Jayson Klausmann, Fairbury High School, Fairbury
Taylee Milles, Fairbury High School, Fairbury
Tayler Shellhase, Fairbury High School, Fairbury
Mikaila Holland, Norfolk High School #2, Norfolk
Moriah Madison, Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha
Christine Brown, Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha
Noah Miller, Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha
Corgan Rodriguez, Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha
Reagan Gausman, Columbus High School #2, Columbus
Saraya Baker, Thomas Jefferson, Council Bluffs, IA
Taylor Bartos, Hastings High School, Hastings
Isaiah Brant, Hastings High School, Hastings
Gavin Valle, Hastings High School, Hastings
Shayna Carson, Hastings High School, Hastings
Paloma Castillo, Norfolk High School #1, Norfolk
Ben Schmaderer, Lincoln High School, Lincoln
Sam Sturgeon, Lincoln High School, Lincoln
Liam Barcel, Columbus High School Vocal Jazz, Columbus
Reagen Gausman, Columbus High School Vocal Jazz, Columbus
Jovinci Villedo, Columbus High School Vocal Jazz, Columbus
Brooke Berek, Columbus High School Vocal Jazz, Columbus
Lauren Fenwick, Lewis Central High School Vocal Jazz, Council Bluffs, IA
Colin Bartmess, Lewis Central High School Vocal Jazz, Council Bluffs, IA
Oleksiy Lakei, Thomas Jefferson High School Vocal Jazz, Council Bluffs, IA
Brandy Sudario, Thomas Jefferson High School Vocal Jazz, Council Bluffs, IA
--###--
PHOTO CUTLINE
Members of the Shining Knights, Norfolk Catholic High School’s show choir, perform during the 37th Annual Northeast Community College Jazz Festival in Norfolk. The two-day event drew 75 musical groups from high schools and middle schools across Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The competition hosted jazz bands and show/jazz choirs for schools in four levels.