2026 ATHENS JAZZ FESTIVAL
HIGH SCHOOL FEST
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026
PERFORMANCE APPLICATION & DIRECTOR INFO
(application is below)
Join us for the annual non-competitive high school jazz band & combo festival at Ohio University! The objective is to provide a supportive & educational experience for your students to further their jazz performance skills and have a great time in the process! Each ensemble will receive written comments and an immediate post-performance workshop with a professional clinician. This year's clinicians are trombonist Scott Garlock, saxophonist Matt James, and pianist Sean Parsons. Applications will be accepted in the order they are received.
Our main jazz festival guest artist Vincent Herring willl present a jazz clinic for all participants at noon. Then you are encouraged to attend the main Athens Jazz Festival concert at 4pm, featuring Vincent with Ohio University Jazz Ensembles in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Concert admission is FREE!
APPLICATION DEADLINE is MARCH 6, 2026. (scroll down to fill out the online application)
ENTRY FEE: $150 for one ensemble; $50 for each additional ensemble per school. Please make checks payable to Ohio University School of Music. Mail to Dr. Matt James, Ohio University School of Music, 440 Glidden Hall, Athens OH 45701.
STUDENT HOST: An OHIO student will meet and guide your ensemble from arrival to the conclusion of their activities.
PLEASE LIMIT SELECTIONS TO THREE PIECES.
SATURDAY POST-PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES:
EQUIPMENT STORAGE: Storage space for school/personal equipment will be provided either in Glidden Hall or in Memorial Auditorium.
COMMENT SHEETS: Your ensemble will receive written comments and a certificate of participation. We may need to mail you these items after the festival.
EQUIPMENT: Ohio University will provide the following equipment in all warm up and performance rooms:
Chairs & stands, guitar amp, keyboard, bass amp, drum set. Drummers may use their own cymbals, bass drum pedal, and snare drum in performance.
PA system provided in Memorial Auditorium.
Risers for trumpets and trombones will be provided.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Click here for directions and maps of campus. Parking and food information and scheduling updates will be communicated to you once you apply, closer to the date of the festival. New in 2025, we will NOT reserve bus parking outside of Memorial Auditorium. An alternate parking location will be provided.
QUESTIONS: Dr. Matt James or Dr. Sean Parsons - 740-593-4244
[email protected] [email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL FEST
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026
PERFORMANCE APPLICATION & DIRECTOR INFO
(application is below)
Join us for the annual non-competitive high school jazz band & combo festival at Ohio University! The objective is to provide a supportive & educational experience for your students to further their jazz performance skills and have a great time in the process! Each ensemble will receive written comments and an immediate post-performance workshop with a professional clinician. This year's clinicians are trombonist Scott Garlock, saxophonist Matt James, and pianist Sean Parsons. Applications will be accepted in the order they are received.
Our main jazz festival guest artist Vincent Herring willl present a jazz clinic for all participants at noon. Then you are encouraged to attend the main Athens Jazz Festival concert at 4pm, featuring Vincent with Ohio University Jazz Ensembles in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Concert admission is FREE!
APPLICATION DEADLINE is MARCH 6, 2026. (scroll down to fill out the online application)
ENTRY FEE: $150 for one ensemble; $50 for each additional ensemble per school. Please make checks payable to Ohio University School of Music. Mail to Dr. Matt James, Ohio University School of Music, 440 Glidden Hall, Athens OH 45701.
STUDENT HOST: An OHIO student will meet and guide your ensemble from arrival to the conclusion of their activities.
PLEASE LIMIT SELECTIONS TO THREE PIECES.
SATURDAY POST-PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES:
- Each ensemble will receive an immediate clinic after their performance.
- Noon jazz clinic/masterclass for all participants.
- 4PM concert featuring visiting artist(s) with Jazz Ensemble I, plus the Jazz Percussion Ensemble
EQUIPMENT STORAGE: Storage space for school/personal equipment will be provided either in Glidden Hall or in Memorial Auditorium.
COMMENT SHEETS: Your ensemble will receive written comments and a certificate of participation. We may need to mail you these items after the festival.
EQUIPMENT: Ohio University will provide the following equipment in all warm up and performance rooms:
Chairs & stands, guitar amp, keyboard, bass amp, drum set. Drummers may use their own cymbals, bass drum pedal, and snare drum in performance.
PA system provided in Memorial Auditorium.
Risers for trumpets and trombones will be provided.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Click here for directions and maps of campus. Parking and food information and scheduling updates will be communicated to you once you apply, closer to the date of the festival. New in 2025, we will NOT reserve bus parking outside of Memorial Auditorium. An alternate parking location will be provided.
QUESTIONS: Dr. Matt James or Dr. Sean Parsons - 740-593-4244
[email protected] [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: we've had a few issues with form submissions. After hitting submit, it may appear that the form has not been sent. But it HAS been sent -- AND you will receive a confirmation email within 1 day of submitting. Thanks for dealing with this....
