Music Festivals
Below you will find information on music festivals and projects that I am involved in.
Fountain City
Jazz Fest
Since 2018, the Fountain City Jazz Fest has provided Jazz programs with the opportunity to perform and receive feedback from our panel of incredible clinicians. This festival is open to all ability levels and age groups! The format for the Fountain City Jazz Fest is a performance/clinic setup that provides comments and clinics that will help both directors and students achieve growth.
All performances take place on stage in the De Soto HS Theater. All participating bands will receive feedback from our panel of clinicians, a recording of their ensemble, and a one on one clinic with one of our clinicians.
De Soto MS Band Festival
This event is open to all MS Bands, from Beginning groups to seasoned 8th Grade ensembles. This could be the perfect opportunity to get your younger groups in front of adjudicators to get out the nerves before the end of the year.
All groups will be scheduled a performance time on stage that will be followed up with a clinic. All directors will receive digital comments from clinicians. This event will follow the performance/clinic format and NO ratings or placements will be used.
This festival also features a Solo and Small Ensemble option for schools to take part in. Students perform in the DHS Band Room and receive an onsite clinic as well as comments from an adjudicator. This is an incredibly beneficial option to help spur your motivated kids to push for all district in high school and a great way to encourage struggling musicians to keep working hard.
Fountain City Composition
2024- Chris Shucart with his piece entitled "Safety and Divide"
2023- Carlton Courtois, Senior, with his piece entitled "Midnight Escapade"
2022- Asher Anderson, Senior, with his piece entitled "Meadow"
2021- Faith Olds, Senior, with her piece entitled "Sailing Along"
2020- Caleb Smith, Senior, with his piece entitled "Inspirations"
Judges- Ron Sikes (Jefferson R7/ Funkybutt) , Joel Vanderheyden (Washington University/Jefferson College), John Prescott (Missouri State University)
2019- Kylie Mitchell, Junior, with her piece entitled "In the Dark"
Judges-Mark Connor (Composer/Everything Band Podcast), Derek Lemback (St. James), Greg Weis (University of Northern Colorado)
2018- Senior Gavin Luther with his piece entitled "Memories"
Judges-Director of Instrumental Studies at Notre Dame College- Michael Krueger and University of Missouri St. Louis Music Theory Coordinator Dr. Zachary Cairns