Pella Jazz Band

The Pella High School Jazz Band has won the 40th Annual Iowa Jazz Championships for Class 3A.
The school has now earned the distinction 16 times. Earlier this afternoon, the band prompted an early dismissal from classes for a special performance–their final of the season, in front of their peers at the high school.
Jazz band director Dameon Place says the program’s past success has created a great deal of pressure in his first year leading the group, but his students were ready to perform at a high level all year long.
“It’s an intimidating resume,” Place says. “ The tradition established by Dick Redman is phenomenal, which was continued by Jason Pentico.”
“We’re just trying to keep it going.”
Senior percussionist Josh Piersma says a championship was a special way to end the season.
“It was almost an out of body experience,” he says. “It sunk in like, ‘we’re state champions,’ but then I was like, ‘Oh, yeah! We’re state champions!’”
Click play on the player below for a special selection from the encore performance.

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