Two Pella High School music students have earned national recognition.

Annaleigh Babcock was selected to the Honor Band of America as a trumpet player, and Isaac Piersma was nominated as first alternate drummer in the Jazz Band of America. Both auditioned in the fall, and were notified of the honor before winter break. Babcock believes the national recognition highlights the dedication to excellence in the Pella music programs.

“The Pella Community High School programs are so intense, and push you to be the best you can be, so I think that has really helped me try as hard as I can and know what it takes to make this ensemble,” she says. “I think it says Pella really likes to push their kids to be the best they can be. And especially since there are very few kids from Iowa that make these national honor bands, jazz bands, and orchestras, that it’s kind of insane of just how good Pella is.”

Babcock looks forward to the experience of playing with other top performers from around the nation.

“I always love getting to play with musicians who push me to be better than I already am, and it’s always fun to play with musicians who are better than me and bring me up to that level,” she says.

Piersma tells KRLS News it was an honor to be judged and appreciated the opportunity to receive a critical look at his own work in order to become a better musician.

“What I’m most excited for is the critique, because that’s something where I get to have somebody sit down and talk to me about what what they like and didn’t like,” he says. “Although this is a great honor and I’m happy with it, it’s also nice to get that feedback and keep improving.”

Piersma says he enjoys performing jazz, as it allows him to better express himself through improvisation and connection with fellow performers.

“Jazz is kind of a different type of music than most–to me at least, and it’s a way to express myself in a way that people can kind of understand what’s going on in my brain,” he says. “It’s a way for me — not only with drums, but with music and the style, it gives me a way to show that.”

“Also in the drummer’s spot, getting to lead the band into set ups with big hits and leading musical lines, it gives me a lot to think about, it gives me a lot to work with, and it’s a way to express myself, and jazz just does that so well.”

Hear the full interview with Babcock on today’s Let’s Talk Pella, and listen to Piersma on Wednesday’s program.