It isn’t uncommon to see a student or staff member at PVHS walk past the choir room or theater and stop to watch and hear the voices of the high school choirs. Few people are able to do the same during the late night rehearsals of Pleasant Valley high school jazz choirs, Jazz Nouveau, Jazz Etc., Belle Tones, and Leading Tones.

Under the direction of Meg Byrne, Catherine Lyon, and David Baxter, students can compete and participate in jazz choir events across Iowa year-round. Most recently, students participated in the first ever West Liberty Jazz Festival where the PV group Leading Tones achieved first place.

With different competitions and festivals happening every other month, time is any jazz choir’s best friend. Each group is usually scheduled for one two-hour rehearsal per week. Due to recent weather and school/activity cancellations, students are working with a tight schedule.

February 16th is the due date for any video submissions from high school jazz choirs auditioning for the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships. Natalie Murphy, senior and Leading Tones member, discussed the difficulties PV’s groups are facing. “We usually are able to choose which is best, but we are more limited due to time constraints and lack of proper rehearsals.”

Despite the hectic schedules, choir students are attracted to jazz choir because of the opportunity to sing different music pieces they don’t typically get to sing in their everyday choir period. Along with this, the traveling and participation in jazz choir events are, as senior and Leading Tones member, Jimmy Guest says, “One of the biggest highlights of all my high school choir memories.”

Guest not only enjoys singing at each competition but also seeing all the other school performances.  “Being able to go out and perform where there are many groups who put in the same dedication as we did is amazing. Seeing what they did different, how they work with each other, and just being able to watch them perform is all part of the fun.”

Taze Wilson, sophomore and member of Jazz Etc., takes in the different festivals and competitions as a learning experience. “You can learn a lot just by watching other performers. I love listening to a variety of styles and skills.”

Wish Jazz Etc. and Leading Tones luck as they perform at the Solon Jazz Festival February 15th in Solon, Iowa, and keep your ears open for jazz choir performances here at Pleasant Valley High School.