With six years of trumpet experience in his musical career, sophomore Ben Klepfer said he was thrilled to be accepted into the All-State Jazz Band for the second year in a row.

Klepfer said being a part of the All-State Jazz Band allowed him to connect with people who shared the same musical passions.

“(I most enjoyed) getting to play with people who really were invested in music and really wanted to be there and shared the same interest in good music,” Klepfer said.

After submitting his audition, Klepfer said he was chosen from ninth and tenth graders throughout the state to play in a concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

“You go for a day and you rehearse and do an informal concert and then you get back together at another day and do the concert at the Convention Center in Minneapolis,” Klepfer said.

According to Klepfer, he began playing the trumpet in fifth grade and currently plays trumpet for four separate groups — school concert band, school jazz band, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony and Minnesota Youth Jazz.

“I started (playing the trumpet) in fifth grade when they first started band at elementary schools. I don’t remember exactly why but I remember really wanting to play the trumpet,” Klepfer said.

According to band teacher Steve Schmitz, Klepfer was talented with advanced musical skills before high school. Schmitz said he played a role in polishing Klepfer’s leadership skills in the ensemble.

“He came with a lot of skills and a lot of opportunities so I would say (my role has been) teaching him ensemble skills, because he could do a lot of things on his own, but teaching him to be a good part of an ensemble and team,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said Klepfer has the potential to pursue his future musical endeavors both in high school and at the collegiate level.

“The next level up is logically the (11th and 12th grade) All State Jazz Band and I think that (Klepfer’s) on the right track. Otherwise, beyond that, I know that he’d like to major in music and jazz,” Schmitz said.