Fiesta Jazz Festival

The Fiesta World Class Jazz Concert on Friday, April 8, 2022, presents an opportunity for the general San Antonio public and jazz festival participants to hear performances by outstanding jazz musicians from across the United States.

The free, public event begins at 1 p.m., Friday, April 8, in Pecan Grove on the St. Mary’s University Campus with the 2022 Fiesta Jazz Festival University Invitational. The invitational includes performances by the San Antonio College Jazz Combo, the St. Mary’s Jazz Orchestra and the St. Mary’s University Jazz Combo. At 7 p.m., the 2022 Fiesta World Class Jazz Concert will start with the Joe Caploe Quartet, followed by the Patrick Cornelius Quartet at 8:30 p.m.

Schedule of Events
Friday, April 8
Pecan Grove

1 p.m., San Antonio College Faculty Jazz Combo plus One
2:15 p.m., United States Air Force Band of the West Protocol Combo
4 p.m., University of Texas at San Antonio Jazz Ensemble
5 p.m., St. Mary’s University Jazz Orchestra
6 p.m., St. Mary’s University Jazz Combo
7 p.m., Joe Caploe Quartet
8:30 p.m., Patrick Cornelius Quartet

On the following day, the 59th annual Fiesta Jazz Band Festival, one of Texas’ oldest, offers a unique educational and music performance experience for more than 500 middle school, high school, and college jazz student performers from across the state.

Admission is free and open to the public both days of the festival.

Professional jazz player playing trumpet at 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 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.

students performing at jazz festival

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.

Saturday, April 9
University Center, Conference Room A

8 a.m., Alamo Heights High School (5A)
8:25 a.m., Southwest High School (5A)
8:50 a.m., C.C. Winn High School (5A)
9:15 a.m. Medina Valley High School (5A)
9:40 a.m., O’Connor High School II (5A)
10:05 a.m., Wagner High School II (5A)
10:30 a.m., Jefferson High School (5A)
10:55 a.m., Brandeis High School Combo (6A)
Noon, Jazz Clinic with Patrick Cornelius
1:10 p.m., Wagner High School I (6A)
1:35 p.m., O’Connor High School I (6A)
2 p.m., Brandeis High School (6A)
2:25 p.m., Churchill High School (6A)
2:50 p.m., Hays High School (6A)
3:15 p.m., New Braunfels High School (6A)
3:40 p.m., Hutto High School (6A)
4:05 p.m., Belton High School (6A)
4:30 p.m., MacArthur High School (6A)
5:15 p.m., Jazz Orchestra of San Antonio
6 p.m., Awards Ceremony

Treadaway Recital Hall

10 a.m., San Antonio Christian High School (3A)
10:25 a.m., Jourdanton High School (3A)
10:50 a.m., Richard King High School (4A)
11:15 a.m., Hargrave High School (4A)
Noon, Jazz Clinic with Patrick Cornelius
2:05 p.m., Bradley Middle School II (2C)
2:30 p.m., Kirby Middle School (2C)
2:55 p.m., Scobee Middle School (2C)
3:20 p.m., Whittier Middle School (2C)
3:45 p.m., Bradley Middle School (3C)

Special jazz clinics take place through the day including a mid-day clinic by the Fiesta Jazz Artist.

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 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.

  • The 2022 Fiesta Jazz Band Festival group list is full. Please fill out the form to be put on the waiting list.

Fiesta Jazz Band Festival Group Entry Form

  • (UIL, etc.)
  • This is your total entry fee amount due for this group. Upon closure of festival entries we will mail you an acceptance letter with detailed performance information.

Entry fee and application must be received no later than March 1st to guarantee entry.

Please make checks payable to: St. Mary’s University Music Department.

Remit to:
St. Mary’s University
Fiesta Jazz Festival
Department of Music
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, Texas 782228-8562

  • Support 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 John Rankin at St. Mary’s University.

    Give to the Jazz Festival
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