Battle Ground jazz bands honored

Battle Ground — Jazz bands from Battle Ground High School and Chief Umtuch Middle School received awards at the Skyview Jazz Festival on Dec. 6. The high school’s Intermediate Jazz Band, directed by Evan Irwin, placed second in their division, and the Advanced Jazz Band, directed by Greg McKelvey, also placed second and won a first-place honor in the sight-reading competition. The Chief Umtuch Middle School Jazz Band, directed by McKelvey, placed third in its division and won a first-place award for sight reading.