26th Annual Penn State Jazz Festival
April 8, 10, 11, 2026
School of Music
The Pennsylvania State University
Allen Rd, University Park, PA 16802
This year’s festival feature workshops, performances, and high school student performances and adjudications by Penn State faculty members Dr. David Stambler (saxophone), Dr. George Carpten (trumpet), Dr. Ben Carrasquillo (trombone), Dr. Dan Isbell (trumpet), Professor Charlie Heim (drum set), PSU Director of Jazz Dr. Joshua Davis (bass), Mr. Nick Felty (trumpet), Mr. Dustin Mallory (vibraphone) and Blue Band arranger and ZeroPoint Big Band director Rick Hirsch, as well as concerts and masterclasses with recording artist/pianist/composer Vardan Ovsepian!
Small jazz ensemble playing will join big band adjudication as a spotlight event, with Penn State faculty leading jam sessions for all levels throughout the day Saturday.
All events are free, unticketed, open to the public, and hosted at the Penn State School of Music on the University Park campus.
Minors must be accompanied by adults.
First come first serve high school registrations! Register now using this form to save your spot today!
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
3:00 – 7:00 PM Combo rehearsal with Guest Artists Room 128 MB II
7:30 PM Concert: Combos with Guest Artist Esber MB I
Friday, April 10, 2026
12:00 – 2:00 PM Combo rehearsal with Guest Artists Recital Hall MB I
2:30 – 3:20 PM Guest Artist Solo Recital/Q&A COMMON HOUR Recital Hall MB I
3:30 – 5:00 PM Centre Dimensions rehearsal with Guest Artists Recital Hall MB I
5:00 – 6:15 PM Inner Dimensions rehearsal with Guest Artist Recital Hall MB I
5:00 – 7:00 PM Jam with Guest Artist Room 128 MB II
6:15 – 7:00 PM Vocal Dimensions soundcheck/rehearsal Recital Hall MB I
7:30 PM Concert: Vocal/Inner Dimensions with Guest Artist Recital Hall MB I
Saturday, April 11, 2026
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM H.S. Band Coachings – Dr. Isbell, Dr. Davis Recital Hall MB I
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM H.S. Band Coachings – Prof. Hirsch, GA Mallory, Dr. Davis Esber MB I
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Rhythm Section Masterclass – Room 128 MB II
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Guest Artists Jam/Masterclass with PSU Combos Esber MB I MB I
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM H.S. Jam – Dr. Carpten, Prof. Hirsch, Combo Heim Room 128 MB II
12:30 – 2:00 PM H.S. Jam – Dr. Stambler, Prof. Heim, Combo Mijangos Room 128 MB II
2:00 PM Soundcheck: Centre Dimensions with Guest Artists Recital Hall MB I
3:00 – 6:00 PM Concert: Centre Dimensions with Guest Artists Recital Hall MB I
Guest Student Performances include comments and coaching with Penn State faculty during each band’s fifty-minute session in our concert hall and in Esber Recital Hall
The times listed here will include set-up, tear-down and if wanted, warm-up. Additional optional warm-up time and space are available in rooms 115 and 117 in Music Building I during the hour prior to your scheduled performance time. All bands are asked to conclude playing and comments at ten minutes before the hour to ensure adequate time for the next band.
The Recital Hall and Esber Recital Hall are located in Music Building I.
FREE REGISTRATION FOR THE FIRST FIVE HIGH SCHOOLS
First come first serve high school registrations! Register now using this form to save your spot today!
QUESTIONS? Email Director of Jazz Dr. Josh Davis at joshuadavis @ psu . edu