About the Fiesta® Jazz Festival
For more than 60 years, St. Mary’s University has hosted the annual Fiesta Jazz Festival Band Festival and World Class Concert on campus. Renowned local, regional and national jazz musicians come to the University where they perform for the St. Mary’s and San Antonio communities. The Jazz Band Festival is where area middle school and high school students are critiqued and compete for trophies. Honor Band recipients are selected from these groups. A clinic and the opportunity to see award-winning musicians are enjoyed by all in attendance.
Fiesta® Jazz Festival — Gold and Blue Jazz Club
April 24 and 25, 2026, at
St. Mary’s University.
Schedule of Events
Friday Apr. 24, 2026
63rd Fiesta® Middle School Jazz Band Festival
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
AA&CC, Movement Studio8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — 2C and 3C Middle School Jazz Bands to be announced.
5:30 p.m. — Awards CeremonyUniversity Invitational
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
AA&CC, Bill Greehey Area11 a.m. — Band to be announced.
Noon — Band to be announced.
1 p.m. — Band to be announced.
2 p.m. — Band to be announced.
3 p.m. — St. Mary’s University AM Jazz Combo.
4 p.m. — St. Mary’s University PM Jazz Combo.
5 p.m. — St. Mary’s University Jazz Orchestra.Fiesta® World Class Jazz Concert
6 to 7:30 p.m.
AA&CC, Bill Greehey Arena6 p.m. — The St. Mary’s University Faculty Jazz Sextet
7:30 p.m. — The Adam Larson Quartet
Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026
63rd Fiesta® High School Jazz Band Festival
Noon to 5:45 p.m.
AA&CC, Bill Greehey ArenaNoon — Jazz Clinic, featuring The Adam Larson Quartet
5 p.m. — The San Antonio Jazz Orchestra
5:45 p.m. — Awards CeremonyTime to be announced. — 3A, 4A, 5A2, 6A2 and 6A High School Jazz Bands
AA&CC, Movement Studio
Learn more about the Fiesta® Jazz Festival
Fiesta® World Class Jazz Concert
Enjoy the great sounds of national, regional and local jazz artists at this year’s Annual Fiesta World Class Jazz Concert. This event is sponsored by the Music and Theatre Arts Department at St. Mary’s University and the San Antonio Fiesta Commission.
The evening concert follows outstanding University and Junior College jazz bands along with area jazz groups.
Annual Fiesta® Jazz Band Festival
The Fiesta Jazz Band attracts junior and senior high school jazz ensembles from Texas and neighboring states. Participants perform for criticism before a panel of renowned jazz clinicians. Trophies and awards are given for outstanding performances in various categories.
Participate in the Fiesta® Jazz Festival
Festival registration is on a first-come basis and automatically ends when all slots are filled. The Festival is open to middle schools and high schools. You may enter for competition, play for critique only or performance only.
If your group is competing, you must play in your school’s classification (5A, 6A, 2C, 3C, etc.). Three musical charts of contrasting styles are required. In the Fiesta tradition, one should be in a Latin jazz style. Each band will be allowed 25 minutes, including set up and strike.
Support the Fiesta® Jazz Festival
You can help create unique educational and music performance opportunities for St. Mary’s students and middle school and high school students from across the state by supporting Fiesta Jazz Festival. Your proceeds will directly support keeping this San Antonio Fiesta and educational tradition alive. Use the link below and select the “Other” category to support Fiesta Jazz Festival.
Interested in becoming an official event sponsor?
Contact Adrian Ruiz at aruiz22@stmarytx.edu or 210-431-1386.