Second Annual Jazz Festival Celebrating the Performing Arts April 1

by Sarah Smith

Senatobia, MS (03/23/2023) — The second annual Northwest Mississippi Community College Jazz Festival will be held at the main campus in Senatobia at the Heindl Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 1.

This year's guest artist is the Todd Hill Orchestra. Dr. Todd Hill is the director of the award-winning Murray State University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band and the Blue and Gold MSU Jazz Combos as well as a former Northwest Jazz Band director.

This event is free and open to the public. Starting at 10 a.m., each high school group will have 30 minutes to perform for judges, then there will be an improv clinic for all students at 4 p.m. The evening concert begins at 7 p.m. with a performance from the top performing high school, the Northwest Jazz Ensemble and the Todd Hill Orchestra.

The festival will be a combination of workshops, critiques, and afternoon/evening performances in the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts. This event serves the region educationally and encourages participation in jazz programs while focusing on clinician commentary and interaction.

The music department is offering ratings by the clinicians as an option for those participating in workshops and critiques. Jazz ensembles of all sizes from middle and high schools are welcome. Each ensemble will be given a 30-minute time slot (this includes set up) where they will perform two selections in contrasting styles--one swing, and a second of the director's choice. A grand piano, drums (including hardware and cymbals), vibraphone, guitar, bass amplifiers (no instrument cables), and congas/bongos will be available to each performing ensemble.

After performing, each band will receive a clinic from two highly experienced jazz educators and/or professionals. Each performance will be recorded and provided to participants free of charge. The clinicians will select one ensemble to perform at the evening concert with the Northwest Jazz Quintet and Northwest Jazz Ensemble and the Todd Hill Orchestra.

For more information, please contact Northwest Assistant Band Director John B. Ungurait at 662-562-3335 or email jbungurait@northwestms.edu.