Roosevelt High School's jazz band is back in Seattle after winning the "Cadillac" of jazz festivals in New York City.
The Essentially Ellington jazz band competition is prestigious and follows a blind audition selection.
Bands all over the U.S. and Canada submit recordings and judges select 15 finalists to compete at Lincoln Center.
Band director Scott Brown says they left everything on the stage.
"At this point in my career, we've been to this festival more than any other in the program. But it's about this group right now. These kids have worked so hard, put in so much extra work in sectionals," Brown said Sunday.
"For me, that's the greatest thing. To see their accomplishments. They're accomplishing the goals that they set for themselves," he said.
This is the first time since 2010 that a Seattle area school took first place. Garfield and Mount Si High Schools were also finalists this year. They say the local bands were cheering each other on through the whole competition.
A pep rally at Roosevelt High School is expected next week.
When asked where the band goes from here, the director said, "back to school."