I don't know how many of you know about or follow the world of jazz music, but every year, in New York City, a festival called the Essentially Ellington festival is held, in honor of one of the greatest jazz composers of all time, Duke Ellington. The festival is the largest jazz festival in the US. Its a huge deal to be able to participate.

Part of the festival is a competition between high school jazz bands. Fifteen bands compete amongst each other for first place. Whoever plays the best gets it. However, before they can even have that competition, they have to select 15 bands to participate out of the hundreds that want to. To do this, they have each band that wants to compete in the festival send in a recording of themselves playing three of Ellington's songs. Judges listen to the songs, and choose who played the best. The 15 bands they choose get to compete in the festival.

Last year, my high school's jazz band came in the 16-20 range. Just below qualifying. This year, we decided to audition again.

We got in.

This means that this year, we're one of the 15 best high school bands in the country.
I get to go to New York.
And meet famous jazz musicians.
All with my friends in jazz band.

I'm so happy.