Iowa high school jazz bands haven’t competed for state championships since April of 2019, and to seemingly make up for lost time, Pella High School students accomplished a remarkable feat this weekend.

At the South Central Iowa Band Master’s Association Jazz Festival, Pella Jazz I and the Pella Jazz Orchestra both qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships. It’s the first time in school history two bands will compete among the best in Class 3A at the same championship event after they placed 1st and 2nd in Winterset–earning both ensembles automatic qualifying spots.

Pella is considered one of the most accomplished jazz programs in state history — since 1979, the school has earned 18 1st place victories at the annual Iowa Jazz Championships. The past two years’ events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pella Jazz I remains the defending Class 3A champions after winning in 2019 (see video below):

Both Pella bands will perform on Tuesday, April 5th, 2022 at Iowa State University in Ames.