Georgia College & State University’s (GCSU) Music Department and Allied Arts partnered to host the 35th annual JazzFest on April 27 on GCSU’s front campus.
JazzFest provides an educational opportunity for school bands to perform and learn from a professional and for GCSU to expose high schoolers to the campus. This year, five high schools with six bands performed alongside three ensembles with GCSU’s Jazz Band and the Alumni Band.
“It brings over 100 students each year to our campus to perform and is an educational opportunity for them. They’re able to showcase their talent and then are provided feedback by our guest artist,” said Clifford Towner, director of Band Activities and professor of music.
Professional trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden from Roswell was the guest artist at JazzFest this year. According to Towner, guest artists are selected annually based on which instruments they have mastered, strengths in GCSU’s current jazz band, and more.
“Cost is an aspect; we consider what instrument we featured recently, the strengths in Georgia College’s Jazz Band, and try to rotate each year,” said Towner. “I was introduced to Gransden when on a vacation with my family a few years ago. We saw him perform at Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, and hearing him live, I knew I wanted to bring him to Jazz Fest.”
As part of Allied Art's mission to connect arts with local schools, Gransden visited Baldwin High School and Georgia College on April 26 to work personally with the schools’ jazz bands. He offered a lesson to both bands and gave them professional insight.
“We have collaborated with Allied Arts since 2017. It’s partially a financial collaboration, allowing us to connect directly with the schools. Our local students are exposed to a professional musician before the event,” said Towner.
On Saturday, Gransden played alongside Georgia College’s Jazz Band, and each school band showcased a 30-minute performance. Gransden watched each performance and then worked one-on-one with each band during the guest clinic at the festival.
“Gransden listened to the artists on stage and then worked with them to make them better,” said Towner. “It is similar to a mini rehearsal to receive advice and improve as musicians.”
New to this year’s festival, Allied Arts hosted a range of artisans. Janice Westfall displayed her artwork and painted a piece during the event of the fountain on the GCSU campus, which was raffled off. Audrey Crumbley invited visitors to paint with her at her table.
Jessica Whitehead displayed her photographs of the Central State Hospital buildings. She shared about the Fast Fading, a History of Central State Hospital pocket exhibit at Georgia's Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot. Sherry Pecharka sold jewelry and photographs, and Mike Zimmer displayed several bowls, artwork, and other items he created from wood.
“I am proud of the audience we had this year. Thanks to the new artisan features, we expanded our audience, which is a yearly goal,” said Towner. “On May 2, we will debrief the event and discuss how to continue growing that audience and debuting more new things like those showcases.”
Discussions for next year’s guest artist are already underway, and GCSU’s Music Department and Allied Arts will work closely together to improve next year’s JazzFest.