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The Three Rivers College Music Department will host the 24th annual Three Rivers College Jazz Band Festival on Feb. 12, 13 and 14 at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Three Rivers’ Poplar Bluff campus.

The festival includes free concerts at 7 p.m. each night, featuring junior high, high school and Three Rivers College jazz bands on Thursday, Feb. 12; Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble on Friday, Feb. 13; and the 2015 All-District High School Jazz Band on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Dr. Joel Vanderheyden will be guest clinician for the Festival and will direct the All-District Jazz Band. Vanderheyden is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz at Jefferson College. He has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, St. Louis Jazz Orchestra, and Missouri Saxophone Quartet and has performed on stages throughout the world.

“Joel Vanderheyden is an accomplished player and educator who will bring his vast knowledge of jazz, and music education and share it with our students and their directors,” said Three Rivers Band Director and Festival Manager William T. (Buddy) White.

After a day of performance clinics, there will be a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 by participating schools, including Jefferson R-7 Junior High and High School directed by Ron Sikes; Poplar Bluff Junior High, directed by Gary Garner; Poplar Bluff High School, directed by Stephen Winters and Dustin Brown; Dexter High School, directed by Scott Rybolt; Charleston High School, directed by Mike Dipasqual; North County High School, directed by Dobie Carroll; Sikeston High School, directed by Darrin Steelman; and Three Rivers College, directed by William White. Admission is free.

The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Tinnin Center. Carroll is an Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at ASU. Admission is free.

“The ASU Jazz Ensemble performed at the William F. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark., last year. It will be a treat for everyone to hear this fine group perform on our stage,” White said.

The Three Rivers College Jazz Band and the Southeast All-District Jazz Band will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 in the Tinnin Center; admission is free. The All-District Jazz Band is a select group of the best high school jazz students in the Southeast Missouri District 10 chosen by audition.

“We annually bring the best jazz musicians in the area to our campus,” White said. “Dr. Vanderheyden and Dr. Carroll are accomplished educators, directors, and musicians. These three concerts will bring some of the finest jazz musicians in the bi-state area to our campus. We have a terrific slate of concerts lined up for the 24^th Annual Jazz Festival.”

Call the Three Rivers College Music Department at 573-840-9639 for more information.

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.