Temple College Hosts Signature Jazz Festival March 27-29
Temple College will welcome hundreds of jazz musicians and jazz enthusiasts to its three-day signature music event – the Temple College JazzFest – Thursday through Saturday, March 27-29. The event is open to the public.
Nearly a thousand students representing approximately 50 high school and middle school jazz bands from throughout the state are scheduled to play sets during the festival. The festival also will feature noon-hour clinics and nighttime performances by renowned guest musicians Andre Hayward (trombone) and Sean Jones (trumpet).
“It’s been our privilege for more than 30 years to shine a spotlight on Temple, Belton and all of the communities throughout Central Texas, where jazz thrives,” said Sara Baker, Dean of Temple College’s Fine Arts Division. “Each year, we have the great opportunity to provide a forum for hundreds of high school and middle school jazz students to showcase their talents.”
Dr. Benjamin Irom, Temple College professor of music and director of jazz studies, said it’s a joy to bring top-tier artists to the Temple College stage to work with students and to perform for the community.
“Andre Hayward and Sean Jones are amazing and talented musicians. It’s an honor for Temple College to host them, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for members of our community to watch them and hear them perform alongside some of the best musicians in our region and the state,” Irom said. “It’s our pleasure to bring such high-caliber performances to our community, and we hope to see the Performance Arts Center packed each night.”
Hayward will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble and Temple College Faculty Jazz. He will host a clinic at noon on Friday.
Jones will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the Temple Jazz Orchestra. He will host a clinic at noon on Saturday.
School performances and clinics will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
An all-star jam session is scheduled from 9:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
All stage performances will be held at Temple College’s Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, 2600 S. First St. Tickets are $5 for students and $20 for adults. Advance tickets may be purchased online at CentralTexasTickets.com.
Tickets will also be available at the door. Call (254) 298-8555 for more information.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 99 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.