NORFOLK, Neb. – Hundreds of junior and senior high school students representing close to 65 ensembles from approximately 50 schools from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota will take part in the annual Jazz Festival at Northeast Community College.
Sponsored by Northeast Community College and begun by the Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble in 1982, the 42nd annual event is a two-day festival set for Monday and Tuesday, March 25-26, in the Cox Activities Center on the Northeast campus in Norfolk. The festival runs from 8 a.m. until 6:10 p.m. on Monday and 8:35 a.m. until 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
Trophies will be awarded to the top four jazz bands, show choirs and vocal jazz choirs in each of the four levels of competition. Outstanding instrumental and vocal soloists’ trophies will also be presented in each division. In addition, Northeast will be awarding tuition waivers to prospective students during each award ceremony.
Margaret Schultz, director of choral activities and festival organizer, invites everyone to share in the experience.
“It is amazing that for over 40 years, this festival brings in a variety of talented instrumentalists and vocalists. It is an exciting two days of competition for the student musicians and their directors. Not only does it provide educational value to the participants, it also provides entertainment for other guests, “Schultz said. “The festival is free and open to the public and we extend the invitation to everyone to come to campus to enjoy some great performances from these young musicians coming from small, medium and large schools.”
For more information, contact Schultz at margaret@northeast.edu or 402-844-7765.
Jazz Festival Cutline
The Ponca High School vocal group, known as the “Ponca Poncappella,” performed during the first day of the Jazz Festival in 2023. (Northeast Community College)
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