News : Jazz Band leaves for State; to perform Thursday morning

Mr. Smith leads the VS Jazz Band during the pep rally before the band left for Des Moines.

Alyssa Cantrell plays her baritone sax solo.

Claire Andreesen and Nick Gardner play together at the pep rally.

Jazz Band bound for Des Moines: Jacob Isbell performs his drum routine during the pep rally.

Lexi Hicok on piano and Caleb Bendull on bass.

Lexi Hicok

Hall of Fame: Nick Gardner holds the plaque that will be displayed in VS Band hallway.

The band members are listed on the names of the T-shirts, including the one worn by Aaron Burkey.

Steph Berry

Jamie Thompson plays a trombone solo.

Claire Andreesen

The Vinton-Shellsburg Jazz Band headed for Des Moines Wednesday afternoon, after the VS student body gathered for a pep rally in their honor.

The band will play at 10:30 a;m. Thursday in Des Moines, at the 2013 Iowa Jazz Championships. A pep bus will leave shortly before 8 a.m. on Wednesday; those planning to ride are asked to be there before 7:45

Hall of Fame honor for Nick Gardner

The Jazz Band also honored senior tenor sax player Nick Gardner, whose photo will be placed in the VS Band Hall of Fame. Gardner is the first VS musician to play for the All-State Jazz Band for three years in a row. He is the first chair again this year, making it the second year in a row Gardner has been honored as the best high school tenor sax player in the state.