Pella High School’s Jazz I Ensemble won the program’s 17th ever state championship.

Senior Macy Nossaman tells KNIA/KRLS News the trophy was validation for the hours spent preparing for each contest.

“I think that feeling you get every time you finish a season, that all the early mornings you did and all the work you put in–if you feel good about your performance, it paid off, and it was great to win a trophy out of it too,” she says.

An encore concert was held Wednesday at the high school as the musicians performed in front of classmates, family, and teachers for the final time as a unit.

Caleb Piersma says it was a special way to end the jazz band season.

“Being able to perform in front our peers is so awesome,” Piersma says. “They responded really well, so that was probably our best crowd feedback that we’ve gotten, and so that just energizes you more to play.”

The Class 3A title won on Tuesday is the school’s second consecutive 1st place finish in the Iowa Jazz Championships in Des Moines.

Click the link below for their encore performance.

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