For the 11th time, Beloit Memorial High School’s Jazz Orchestra has been selected to compete in a prestigious national competition in New York City this spring.

Director of Bands Chris Behrens says they are one of just 15 schools from around the country who will participate in the 2023 Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition at the Lincoln Center in May.

Behrens says the music they are playing this year is challenging and they are essentially asking high school students to perform professional level music.

Behrens says the selection is a testament to the dedication, practice, and hard work of the students.