This month marks the 50th year of the Clark College Jazz Festival, hosting over 60 middle school and high school vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles in this three-day celebration of jazz. On Thursday, Jan. 26, middle school ensembles will perform in the Invitational Jazz Clinic. On Thursday afternoon, high school ensembles will compete for a chance to perform in the evening’s Vocal Jazz Showcase. On Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28, high school ensembles will compete for a place in the finals competition, where they will be ranked for first, second, and third place. On Saturday evening, one band will be selected to receive the coveted Sweepstakes Trophy.

Clark College honors the generations of families who have participated in the festival, as well as the man who brought the festival to Clark, the late Dale Beacock. As part of this recognition, Clark College welcomes the Golden Alumni Jazz Band, featuring students from three generations of Clark band directors, led by retired Clark band director Chuck Ramsey. The band will perform at 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Two jazz clinics will also be presented by Clark alumni and WSU Pullman Coordinator of Jazz Studies Dave Hagelganz. These clinics will take place on Friday and Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the Ellis F. Dunn Community Room in Gaiser Hall.

Admission is $5 per day. Clark College students and children under 12 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Gaiser Hall is located on the northwest corner of the main campus on Fort Vancouver Way, between McLoughlin Blvd. and Fourth Plain Blvd. Enter through the north or south entrance of Gaiser Hall Theater. For more details, click here.