The Music Department of Missouri Western State University will host its tenth annual MWSU Jazz Festival on Saturday, Feb. 13. Groups will perform in Blum 219 and the Fulkerson Center. Each ensemble will perform for the adjudicators, and will receive recorded and written critiques of the performance from clinicians. Immediately following each band’s performance the clinicians will give a 25-40 minute clinic for the band, discussing and working on specific areas. The festival begins at 9 a.m., and concludes with a performance by the MWSU Jazz Ensemble at 4:50 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center. The festival is free and open to the public.
“The focus and commitment of this festival is making this an educational and musical experience for students and directors alike,” said Bob Long, MWSU director of jazz studies. Clinicians for this year are Wayne Page, Waukee School District, Waukee, Iowa; Dick Redman, Pella, Iowa; Steve Molloy, trumpet instructor, Missouri Western; and Kathleen Holeman, director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Missouri Western.
During the day students will have the opportunity to attend clinics for their specific instruments. The Missouri Western instrumental faculty will conduct individual master classes. Those involved are; Lee Harrelson, trombone; Stephen Molloy, trumpet; Mark Elting, percussion; Bob Long, saxophone; and Kathleen Holeman, vocal jazz. The festival will conclude with a short performance by the Missouri Western Jazz Ensemble, directed by Bob Long. During the concert individual performance awards for the day will be announced.
For more information please contact the Music Department at 816-271-4420, or long@missouriwestern.edu.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 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 www.missouriwestern.edu.