More than 70 high school musicians from across Central and West Texas spent a day on the Howard Payne University campus learning from college music professors and professional musicians during a hands-on jazz workshop, the university reported.
Howard Payne University said the High School Combo Jazz Clinic and Workshop brought students and their teachers from 10 high schools to Brownwood for instruction, performance and musical collaboration. Participating schools included Electra, San Angelo Central, San Angelo’s Emmanuel School for the Arts, Brady, Eastland, Dublin, Mineral Wells, Sweetwater, Brownwood and Early.
The day began with a performance by HPU’s Faculty Jazz Combo, followed by clinics designed to help students prepare for Texas All-State Jazz Band auditions. Students then explored improvisation, which the university described as a foundational element of jazz that challenges musicians to create music in the moment.
The final workshop placed students who had not previously met into nine-member jazz combos. Working with their teachers, students had one hour to learn a standard jazz selection and prepare improvisations before performing in a concert featuring all student combos.
HPU said the workshop was part of its ongoing commitment to providing music education opportunities for students in rural and small school communities. The university’s Department of Music serves as the Center for Rural and Small School Music Education TEA County/District 025501. A second annual High School Big-Band Jazz Workshop is planned for Jan. 30, 2027.
For more information, visit hputx.edu.