Illinois State University Jazz Festival
2026 ISU Jazz Festival featuring Walter Smith III
Saturday, April 11 2026
The annual Illinois State University Jazz Festival is the highlight of the year for jazz on campus. The special guest artist for 2026 is saxophonist and educator Walter Smith III. Smith will present a free masterclass to all festival participants and will be featured extensively in a collaborative performance with ISU Jazz Ensembles directed by Dr. Tom Marko.
Competing Jr. High and High School jazz ensembles
- perform in the 800 seat Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
- receive numerical scores along with recorded and written comments from a panel of three expert jazz educators.
- receive live on-stage comments and/or a brief clinic from one of our judges depending on time available.
- receive a digital recording of their performance.
- receive free admission to the Saturday evening concert featuring Walter Smith III with ISU Jazz Ensembles.
Bands that want to perform “non-competitively” are also welcome.
Event Details
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Schedule
- The Saturday concert is currently scheduled for 7 p.m., but may be adjusted slightly depending on the competition schedule.
The final schedule will be determined as registrations are received and will be posted approximately two weeks prior to the festival on the Illinois State University Jazz Ensembles Facebook page under featured upcoming events.
Application deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026.
Please email Dr. Tom Marko with any questions.
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Fees
The fee for each Jr. High or High School jazz ensemble is $300 for big bands and $200 for combos, and includes
- entry into the competition (grouped into categories by school size)
- complementary admission for participants to the Saturday evening concert
- free admission to the guest artist masterclass
- a brief on-stage band clinic or comments from one of the adjudicators
- digital recordings of the judges' comments and your band's performance