Battle Ground bands jazz it up for honors

Battle Ground — Advanced jazz bands from Battle Ground High School and Chief Umtuch Middle School took honors for their performances in the Skyview High School Jazz Festival on Dec. 3. Both groups are directed by Greg “Count” McKelvey. The BGHS group finished second out of seven bands in festival’s open division. The Chief Umtuch Middle School Advanced Jazz Band took first place out of nine competitors in its division. Thirty bands from the region, each with 14-20 student musicians, participated in the festival.