Photo provided by Griffon Media.
Feb. 10, 2025–The music program at Missouri Western State University will host its 18th Annual MWSU Jazz Festival on Thursday, Feb. 13.
During the day, 19 school groups will perform in Blum 219 and the Fulkerson Center. Each ensemble performs for the judges, receiving recorded and written critiques of the performance from the clinicians. Immediately following each band’s performance, clinicians will give a 25- to 40-minute clinic for the band, discussing and working on specific areas of their performance.
Bob Long, MWSU Director of Jazz Studies, said the primary focus of this festival is to be an educational and musical experience for both students and directors.
Clinicians for this year are Larry Green, Columbia; Bob Harvey, Lee’s Summit; Clarence Smith, Penn Valley Community College; and Kathleen Holeman, Vocal Jazz and Piano, Missouri Western. Adam Larson will present clinics at noon and 6:15 in the Fulkerson Center, which will be open to the public.
The festival will conclude with a short concert by the Missouri Western Jazz Ensemble featuring Adam Larson.
The festival will start at 8 a.m., with the MWSU Jazz Ensemble performing at 7 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center. The event is open to the public and free.
For more information please contact the Music Area at 816-244-5840 or long@missouriwestern.edu.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.