Tri-C JazzFest DownBeat Education Days

Tri-C JazzFest DownBeat Education Days | March 27 – 28, 2024

The annual Tri-C JazzFest DownBeat Education Days were held this year at Tri-C Metropolitan Campus in downtown Cleveland on March 27-28 featuring artists-in-residence the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, directed by Scotty Barnhart and vocalist Carmen Bradford. Students and educators from 15 schools from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana had the opportunity to learn from, be adjudicated by, and spend the day with the members of this world-renowned big band.

2024 DownBeat Education Days Daily Schedule

9:00 a.m. – noon | Adjudicated Performances and Improv Clinics

Wednesday, March 27, High School Band Performances:

9:00 a.m. Lakewood High School Jazz Band – Lakewood, OH (Metro Auditorium)

Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble I – Westlake, OH (Murphy Theatre)

9:45 a.m. North Olmsted Jazz Ensemble – North Olmsted, OH (Metro Auditorium)

Avon High School Big Band – Avon, OH (Murphy Theatre)

10:30 a.m. Mercer Area High School – Mercer, PA (Metro Auditorium)

Perkins High School Jazz Ambassadors – Sandusky, OH (Murphy Theatre)

11:15 a.m. Northrup High School Jazz I – Fort Wayne, IN (Metro Auditorium)

Lakewood High School Jazz Workshop – Lakewood, OH (Murphy Theatre)

Thursday, March 28, High School Band Performances:

9:00 a.m. Saint Ignatius High School Jazz Orchestra – Cleveland, OH (Metro Auditorium)

9:45 a.m. Firestone CLC Jazz Ensemble – Akron, OH (Metro Auditorium)

Brooklyn High School Jazz Ensemble – Brooklyn, OH (Murphy Theatre)

10:30 a.m. Gahanna Lincoln High School Jazz Band I – Gahanna, OH (Metro Auditorium)

Gahanna Lincoln High School Jazz Band II – Gahanna, OH (Murphy Theatre)

11:15 a.m. Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble I – Boardman, OH (Metro Auditorium)

GM Jazz McClane High School – Edinboro, PA (Murphy Theatre)

Noon – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. | Instrumental and Vocal Sectionals with Members of the Count Basie Orchestra

1:15 – 2:00 p.m. | Educational Concert and Q&A with the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

About Tri-C DownBeat Education Days

The DownBeat Education Days is an annual event dedicated to the education and appreciation of jazz, reaching more than 300 students in Ohio and surrounding states. These special days include adjudicated performances by school, college and community bands, featuring clinics and workshops with national artists in improvisation, technique, various styles and how to become a more engaged listener and musician. Past teaching artists have included John Clayton, Geri Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Carl Allen, Ingrid Jensen, Quincy Phillips, Alan Baylock and Braxton Cook, among many others.

Stay tuned for the announcement of next year’s DownBeat Education Days and guest artists. For more information about the program, email Michael Shirtz or call 216-987-4193.