The Mitchell High School Jazz Band on Thursday took home the top honor of placing first in Class AA at the 15th Annual SDSU Optimist Jazz Festival in Brookings. The band received the highest rating in all classes at the event.
Drex Martinek, Mason Buenzow and Ella Mutziger won outstanding soloists awards as well.
Due to the pandemic this year, many of the jazz competitions were canceled.
The band did receive 2nd place at the West Lyon Jazz Festival in February. The band will finish its competitive season by traveling to the Univeristy of Nebraska Omaha on May 11th. The high school jazz band, along with the middle school jazz band and Tri-Tones Jazz Combo (composed of students from the MHS Jazz Band) will perform on Tuesday, May 4th at the Palace City Jam. This event will be live streamed for those that don’t receive vouchers.