The Greene County High School jazz choir, the Jazzatonics, was selected to compete at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships for the fifth straight year. The state championships will be held Tuesday, March 29, at Valley High School in West Des Moines.
The Jazzatonics compete in Class 3A. Only eight choirs are invited from each class, with the toughest competition in Class 3A. Last year, according to choir director Dave Heupel, the state accepted 13 groups but this year, state officials held fast to the eight school limit.
“To make the cut is quite an honor and a testament to how hard these kids are working this year,” Heupel said.
Members of the Jazzatonics are (front, from left) Victoria Sims, Samantha Behne, Kara Betts, Kenna Marquardt, Maddie Schroeder, Taliyah Carr and Danielle Johnson; and (back, from left) Edwin Lenchanko, Jacob Wittry, Jack Schilling, Jarrett Delp, Michael Kennedy, Wyatt Funcke, David Petersen and Arthur Bardole.
Providing the accompaniment are Rielly Harrington, piano; Reid Stratton, drums; community member Todd Mason, bass; John Mobley, trumpet; Kyle McAleer, trombone, and Emily Heupel, tenor sax.
