WATERLOO â The DeKalb Middle School band program this week was awarded the Junior High/Middle School/Elementary All-Music Award by the Indiana State School Music Association.
This is the top award the students can earn for receiving a gold rating in every area, including concert band, jazz band, and solo and ensemble contests, said Colby Stackhouse, band director for DeKalb Middle School.
Only eight schools in Indiana received the award for their band departments.
During this school year at DeKalb Middle School:
⢠The Advanced Band earned a gold rating in the ISSMA Concert Contest for both the first and second semesters. It was the only middle school band to take on the challenge of competing in Group 1, the hardest level of judging. It earned a nearly perfect score at both events.
FORT WAYNE â Three DeKalb High School Jazz 1, Too and 3 bands all had the opportunity to perform live with spectators at North Side High School on Saturday.
DeKalb Jazz 3 tied for first place in its room, with solo awards given to Sylvia Benbow on alto saxophone and Jack Stoy on the drum set.
âThis is our first year having a third jazz band at DHS, and these students have really grown and improved over the jazz season. I am so proud of the work they have put in and the quality of their performances this year. The precedent they have set for future Jazz 3 bands is impressive,â said Jazz 3 director Lori Haydl.