Ram Jive Performing at North Polk, Spirit Lake

Greene County High School's vocal jazz ensemble has a busy performance schedule in February.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Greene County High School Vocal Jazz ensemble, known as Ram Jive, is performing today at North Polk High School and next week at Spirit Lake High School. Director David Heupel says the end of January and February is a busy time for the students, with the Iowa High School Music Association State Festival at the end of January and these upcoming competitions.

Why it matters

The performances at North Polk and Spirit Lake provide valuable competition experience for the young vocal jazz ensemble, as they prepare to potentially compete at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships in late March and early April.

The details

Heupel explains that he feels comfortable taking the ensemble to familiar places like North Polk and Spirit Lake, as it is convenient for everyone's schedules. He also notes that in mid-to-late February, there are not many festival options in central Iowa, so these locations work well. Heupel is looking forward to these last two competitions for the younger ensemble to continue improving and getting better.

  • The Iowa High School Music Association State Festival was at the end of January at West Des Moines Valley High School.
  • Ram Jive is performing today at North Polk High School.
  • Ram Jive is performing next week at Spirit Lake High School.

The players

David Heupel

The director of the Greene County High School Vocal Jazz ensemble, known as Ram Jive.

Greene County High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Also known as Ram Jive, this is the vocal jazz ensemble from Greene County High School that is performing at North Polk and Spirit Lake.

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What they’re saying

“Mid to late February, you get into later February, there's a lot of schools looking for a festival and there's not a lot in central Iowa. So next weekend when we go to Spirit Lake, it's either you kind of go way northwest or go way east, because we've gone to Cedar Rapids before. But yeah, just that it works out for what we're looking for.”

— David Heupel, Director (Raccoon Valley Radio)

What’s next

Ram Jive has submitted their recording to be considered for the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships from March 31-April 1, which they will host this year.

The takeaway

The busy performance schedule for the Greene County High School Vocal Jazz ensemble demonstrates the dedication and hard work of these young musicians as they prepare for potential state-level competitions later in the spring.