GRIMES — For the second year in a row Solon High School’s 5th Street jazz choir took 1st place in Class 3A at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships held Wednesday, April 2 at Dallas Center-Grimes High School in Grimes.

Emma Gostonczik, Solon High School Vocal Music Director, explained the Championships are a program highlighting high-level vocal jazz from across the state.

“Each year, in addition to six other vocal jazz festivals, Solon enters the competition for a chance to compete. This year, 5th Street secured one of eight spots and walked away with the state title for 3A. Additionally, Lucy Miller (senior) was awarded outstanding performer in class 3A.”

She noted the members of 5th Street have been rehearsing diligently since the beginning of September. Their 2025 setlist featured three tunes; “Linger Awhile” (arr. Darmon Meader), Elton John’s famous “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” (arr. Kerry Marsh, and “Back Pocket,” an arrangement that was commissioned for 5th Street by Dr. Jeremy Fox.

According to the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships, the annual competition was first held in 2007 and was created to help promote the growth of vocal jazz in Iowa by providing a venue where jazz choirs of all classes could perform representing the best vocal jazz programs in their respective classes.