The auditorium was electric as the competition results were announced at the 2016 Jazz Champs in Des Moines. This competition is the highest level competition for jazz bands in the state of Iowa. The Little Hawks took fourth out of fifteen bands, the highest a City High Band has ever placed in the competition.

“I was stunned, I couldn’t move [during awards],” said bassist Zach Kenyon ‘16.

This opinion was shared by many members of the band.

“Awards were nerve wracking,” added Matthew Martin ‘16, a baritone saxophone player. “I personally wasn’t expecting to be [placed] that high.”

Jazz Ensemble also finished ahead of cross-town rival West High’s top jazz band, which placed sixth.

“I was really happy when we beat West High,” said Martin

The effort was led by trumpet player Joey Schnoebelen ‘17, who was one of four outstanding soloists in class 4A.  This was a high honor that added to the successful end to the jazz band competition season.

“I feel like that was probably our best performance of the year,” Martin said.