Jazz bands from schools across Southeast Missouri will come together to perform in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center as the Three Rivers College Music Department hosts its 29th Annual Jazz Festival on February 13 and 15. Both shows will be at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Both nights will feature performances from the Three Rivers College Jazz Band, which will be joined on February 13 by junior high and high school bands from across the region. The Saturday, February 15, performance will feature the Southeast Missouri All-District Jazz Band, which consists of the best high school jazz musicians in Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) District 10.
Also part of the Jazz Festival, Patrons of the Arts will present a performance by Jubilation Jazz on February 14 at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Jubilation Jazz is a diverse group of musicians from across the state of Arkansas who share the gospel through big band music.
“We chose the theme for this year’s event, ‘Happiness Is Embracing Tradition,’ because we’re proud to have such a long tradition of helping inspire and educate music students throughout the area with this festival,” said William White, Professor of Music at Three Rivers and director of the College’s Jazz Band.
“The 29th Annual Jazz Festival will feature performances by some of the area’s best jazz bands ranging from junior high to high school to college to professional musicians. There will definitely be something here for everyone to enjoy,” said White.
In addition to the performances, the festival includes clinics during the day for students in the participating bands. This year’s clinician is Dr. Richard Kelley, Associate Professor of Saxophone, Jazz Studies, and Music Business and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU). Kelley will also direct the All-District Jazz Band.
In addition to being an instructor at SIU since 2008, Kelley has performed across the United States, Mexico, Canada, much of Europe, and several Caribbean countries. He has been featured as concerto soloist with several orchestras and bands, served as guest soloist with numerous jazz ensembles, and is often called upon to perform with touring groups throughout the United States.
People wanting more information on the 29th Annual Jazz Festival, or those interested in participating in next year’s performance, can call the Three Rivers College Music Department at 573-840-9639.
Tickets for Jubilation Jazz will go on sale January 17, and will be $15. Tickets will be available online at trcc.edu/tinnin (online fee may be charged) and in person at the Three Rivers Student Accounts Office and the Tinnin Center Art Gallery. Tickets will be sold at the door, if any remain. All seats reserved.
Three Rivers offers an Associate of Arts degree in Music for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to major in Music and an Associate of Arts in Teaching – Music Education degree for students who want to transfer into Central Methodist University’s completion program, offered at the Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff campus, to earn a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Both the AA and AAT degree programs provide an affordable way to fulfill general education requirements and to explore a variety of performance opportunities. Students can specialize in choir or instrumental music. There are courses for ensembles and private instruction. There also are music scholarship opportunities.
For more information about the Three Rivers College Music Department, call 573-840-9639.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
