On Friday, April 12th, The Big Band Wolves and the Alphatones finished out their season by competing in the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) jazz festival held at Elkhorn South. 

“I think that we really improved our sense of style and tightness together as a group over the season, and we did a better job of exaggerating and communicating the different styles of music,” band director Matt Rom said. “I also think soloists grew more comfortable with some more challenging solo lines, and overall I thought we played really quite well.”

This year, the Elkhorn North music department decided to add a junior varsity jazz band, called the Alphatones, in addition to the varsity jazz band, the Big Band Wolves. This band is the first junior varsity jazz band since the 2020-21 season, and has allowed a lot of room for growth and a step towards a bigger band program.

“I think we’ve made a lot of improvement over the season.” senior Alphatones member Lacy Mehaffey said. “I think this year was a good starter year and I hope that the program continues to grow”

To join, students must submit an audition. This is usually a video submission that shows the student playing two different excerpts of songs, with one of the pieces including an improvisation section. A few weeks later, the jazz band results are released and practices start. 

“Since most of the members have been participating in jazz band for a couple years already, it is a lot easier to feel comfortable while playing,” senior Big Band Wolves member Sydney Dallegge said. “Confidence has continued to grow since the start of the season, which has allowed for great solos and strong players.”