Some of the best high school musicians in the state showcased their skills in an annual tradition for the Pella instrumental music departments this weekend.

Pella High students were featured Friday and Saturday at the annual Carnaby Club.

Pella’s award-winning Jazz I and II bands, percussion and string ensembles, as well as a variety of smaller acts all had performances over the two nights in front of big crowds.

Each year, one graduating member of the Jazz Band is honored, but this year, an award bearing the name of 14-time state champion Band Director Dick Redman was presented for the first time. At Saturday night’s show, Ryan Van Maanen was recognized with the Dick Redman Excellence in Jazz Award, an honor Van Maanen says has great significance to him and the program.

“Mr. Redman has just truly just been an inspiration to every single student that’s gone through band,” he says. “When we had him as a director, he was just the most encouraging, yet intense, and he really is just such a driving force for excellence, and that’s what his legacy will always be.”

“It’s really an honor to receive the award in his name, and I just can’t say enough how much I respect him, he’s just an amazing man.”

Hear more from the annual Carnaby Club on Monday’s Let’s Talk Pella.