Austin High School’s growing jazz band program continues to garner accolades and has recently been selected to perform at the Minnesota School Boards Association Leadership Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Only two music ensembles in the state receive this honor each year and this is the first time Austin has been selected for the prestigious performance.

Jazz One also gave a performance on Sunday afternoon at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, in support of the 62nd Annual Eagles Cancer Telethon.

AHS’s jazz program has grown significantly in the past three years and three different jazz bands traveled to the Section Solo/Ensemble contest at Lakeville South High School on Saturday. Jazz One, Packer Jazz, and AHS’s newest jazz ensemble, Scarlet Jazz, will all compete for top rankings. Jazz One has received the “Best in Site” award at Section Contest the past two years.

All three ensembles can be heard in concert on Sunday, Feb. 14, at the fourth annual Paramount Jazz concert at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin. This year’s event has been expanded to two performances, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the Austin ArtWorks Center or from jazz band students.

The AHS Jazz Bands are directed by Mr. Bradley Mariska.