The La Porte High School Jazz Band has qualified as one of eight schools with instrumental jazz ensembles to perform in the inaugural Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Jazz Finals. The band will perform Friday, March 18, at North Central High School in Indianapolis. The performance time schedule will be posted at www.issma.net when available. The following school jazz ensembles will perform in the finals: Carroll, Castle, DeKalb, F. J. Reitz, Goshen, La Porte, Portage, and Snider.
The LPHS Jazz Band qualified for the State Jazz Finals with their performance at the ISSMA Jazz Contest held at LPHS on March 4 and 5. The LPHS Jazz Band and Lab Band each received a Gold Rating with Distinction, the highest rating possible for a group to receive. The Boston and Kesling Middle School Jazz Bands also received Gold Ratings. Fifty-eight bands, orchestras, combos, and choirs from northwest Indiana participated in the annual event. Groups are evaluated by a panel of three judges and are awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze Ratings, or a Participation Award. A Gold Rating is the best rating with the Gold Rating with Distinction being the highest possible.