CANTON, Mo. — 91ֱ�� welcomed approximately 100 high school student musicians to campus for its 26th Annual JazzFest Tuesday, Feb. 17. JazzFest is an  immersive educational event designed to strengthen musicianship, expand jazz knowledge, and provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

This year’s festival featured five jazz bands representing four regional school districts, including two ensembles from Hannibal High School under the direction of Mike Fuller, as well as Kirksville High School (Brad Hudson), Highland High School (Nathan Sparks), and Mexico High School (Josh Yancy).

Throughout the daylong event, students participated in a series of educational clinics led by professional musicians, college faculty, and guest jazz artists. Sessions included instrument-specific sectionals for saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm sections; two full-band coaching clinics; an improvisation workshop; and a jazz history session. Students also experienced campus life through a student-led tour.

Clinicians included Culver-Stockton faculty members Dr. Trent Hollinger, Martin Gelwasser, Dr. Alex Kirby, and Dr. Scott Giltner, alongside guest educators William DeMont, Dustin Schrum, Dr. John Cooper, and Steve Grismore. Musically, participating bands explored a diverse repertoire spanning multiple jazz traditions, including swing, Afro-Cuban, funk, bossa nova, and ballad styles.

“Events like JazzFest provide high school students with a rare opportunity to work directly with industry professionals and experience a wide range of expertise,” said Dr. Hollinger, C-SC director of bands and music dept. chair. “For schools in more rural areas, assembling a comparable group of jazz artists locally is often impractical. By bringing together professionals from many facets of jazz in one place, JazzFest offers students meaningful exposure, instruction, and inspiration that would otherwise be difficult to access.”

The event also supports recruitment and relationship-building for the College’s music program.

“JazzFest brings prospective students to campus where they can experience the quality of our faculty, our facilities, the beauty of the campus, and the culture of our music program firsthand,” Dr. Hollinger said. “Participants interacted with current Culver-Stockton students through campus tours, helping them envision themselves as part of our music community.”

New elements were introduced to this year’s festival, including the addition of a second full-band rehearsal space and expanded cross-campus collaboration, highlighted by Dr. Giltner’s jazz history presentation.

High school jazz bands interested in participating in the 27th Annual JazzFest, scheduled for February 2027, are encouraged to contact Dr. Hollinger at thollinger@culver.edu to request an invitation.

Learn more about 91ֱ��’s music programs at /majors/music/.

“JazzFest is designed to offer an immersive and enriching experience for young musicians, providing them with unique opportunities to learn from seasoned jazz professionals,” stated Assistant Professor of Music Aren Van Houzen. “Under the guidance of several regional jazz experts, each participating band will receive personalized clinics and coaching sessions throughout the day. This year’s JazzFest promises to be a day filled with learning, inspiration, and unforgettable performances, and we look forward to welcoming all participants and guests to our campus.”

Sessions will cover a wide range of topics including full ensemble coaching, sectionals for trumpets, trombones, saxes, and rhythm, improvisation and theory workshops, as well as engaging discussions on jazz history and listening. Additionally, students will have the chance to explore college audition strategies, recruiting opportunities, and take part in a campus tour, providing valuable insights into the next steps of their musical journey.

JazzFest is non-competitive with a goal of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where participants can focus on growth and learning without the pressure of competition. All sessions will be open to participants and guests.

The final concert, where each band will showcase their skills by performing selections they have refined throughout the day, will take place at 3:15pm in the Alexander Campbell Auditorium, located in the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center on the campus of 91ֱ��.

For more information and to register for the event, please contact Van Houzen at 573-288-6812.