Musicians from all over Texas showcase their talents
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) School of Music hosted its 56th Annual Jazz Festival. The festival was a two-day event held on March 22 and 23 with more than 40 middle school and high school jazz bands and ensembles participating from across Texas.
“Essentially this contest is one of the heaviest contests when it comes to jazz music here in Texas. Our students get a lot of exposure, and they get to see amazing programs and perform amongst the best in the state,” Raul Perez, director of bands for Wagner High School, said.
All the participating schools gathered in the performance hall located inside the School of Music where they were judged by professional musicians and instructors.
Students were then encouraged to sit and listen to their competitors to show support in the friendly competition.
“Hearing all of the jazz bands I feel like it’s giving me more fragments and pieces that I can put into improvise solos. I liked hearing all the different pieces, how it works together, how good people are. I was really inspired,” performer Sebastian Martinez said.
The Jazz Festival was free for all university students to come, enjoy and listen to the new musicians of tomorrow. The festival also included a guest performance from award-winning jazz bassist Linda May Han Oh, who performed with the TAMUK Jazz Combo I. This event occurs every year for schools to compete and defend their school’s title for Best Jazz Band in Texas.
“Jazz is truly alive music, and it requests different kinds of interactions; it has an intimate environment from it,” Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies Dr. Theresa Chen said. “I enjoyed seeing all the young faces from the middle schoolers and high schoolers, and I just can’t wait to interact with more of them. I can’t wait to be involved again, keep inspiring, and keep preaching the beauty of jazz.”
For information about future festivals and events happening at the School of Music followTexas A&M University Kingsville School of Music on Facebook.
