56th Annual Newberry College Jazz Festival to be Held March 2
56th Annual Newberry College Jazz Festival to be Held March 2
February 26, 2013
NEWBERRY, S.C. The Newberry College Jazz Festival, one of the oldest jazz festivals in the nation, will be held Saturday, March 2, in Wiles Chapel on the Newberry College campus. The festival will be held in collaboration with the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA) and will feature the Newberry College Jazz Big Band, two All-State high school bands, and world-famous jazz trombonist, Conrad Herwig. This is the 56th Annual Jazz Festival at the college.
Performances begin at 11:30 a.m. by the All-State Jazz Band under the direction of clinician, Lou Fischer. A second All-State Jazz Band takes the stage at 12:15 p.m. under the direction of clinician, Vince DiMartino. The All-State Bands are composed of outstanding high school musicians from throughout the state who have auditioned for the bands and have been chosen through a process adjudicated by the SCBDA.
The Newberry College Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Bill Long, performs with guest artist and world renowned trombonist, Conrad Herwig, at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Herwig is one of the greatest players in the history of jazz and is in high demand as a performer and artist in residence. He is a graduate of Queens College, New York, and is currently Professor of Jazz Trombone, Composition and Arranging in the prestigious jazz program at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He is also a visiting Professor of Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, NYC.
The Jazz Festival will also feature middle school and high school bands from around the state. They will perform for ratings throughout the day, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Alumni Music Center.
The Newberry College Jazz Big Band is under the direction of Associate Professor of Music, Bill Long. The South Carolina Band Directors Association representative for this event is Mark Yost from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C.
Schools represented in the Festival include A. C. Flora High School, Aiken High School, Ashley Ridge High School, Belton-Honea Path High School, Camden Middle School, Chapin High School, Charleston School of Arts, Crayton Middle School, Edgewood Middle School, Gilbert High School, Governors School of Science & Mathematics, Granard Middle School, Hartsville High School, Hilton Head High School, Irmo High School, Lexington High School, Lower Richland High School, Northwestern High School, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Pelion High School, Pickens High School, Sandhills Middle School, Socastee High School, Spartanburg Day School, Swansea High School, T. L. Hanna High School, Wando High School, West Ashley High School, West Florence High School, Westside High School, and York Comprehensive High School.