Music
John Moawad Jazz Festival
May 7-8, 2026
The CWU John Moawad Jazz Festival is a non-competitive sharing of music between instrumental jazz ensembles is open to all college, high school and middle school jazz bands. Groups will be adjudicated (ratings by request) and given clinics. No awards will be made for ensemble performance. Ensembles will be given feedback in clinic form of approximately 20-25 minutes with an adjudicator following each performance.
Central’s top jazz ensembles will perform at the end of the day with a guest artist during which outstanding musicians from the day will be recognized. Large ensembles should be comprised of at least 12 members with a maximum of 30 members. Groups smaller than 12 will be considered combos. There will be no combo division for this year's festival, however, combos may enter the festival and be adjudicated.
2026 Guest Artist
Bobby Sanabria is a 7-time Grammy-nominee as a leader. He is a noted drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, documentary film maker, and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent born and raised in NY’s South Bronx.
Sanabria has performed and recorded with artists such as Mario Bauzá, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Paquito D’Rivera, Ray Barretto, Chico O’Farrill, Henry Threadgill, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Daniel Ponce, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, and many more!
He has recorded extensively as a leader and has a long list of Grammy nominated records to his credit including Live & in Clave!!!, 50 Years of Mambo: A Tribute to Perez Prado, Big Band Urban Folktales.
Sanabria directs the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra at the Manhattan School of Music. Under his leadership, they have produced several Grammy Nominated recordings.
Register Now!
2026 Clinicians TBA
Entries
We welcome schools to bring multiple bands if desired. We are able to accommodate middle school, high school, and college groups. If your school is entering multiple ensembles, please complete a separate entry form for each. Due to the nature of the event, there is no need for divisions within the various bands levels and sizes. Groups will be evaluated against a standard, and be given feedback appropriately, regardless of size, age, or experience.
There will be a separate venue for middle school/junior high jazz bands and high school second bands. As the festival has grown, so have the number of younger bands attending. We wish to give them a venue specific to their needs, along with adjudicators experienced in that “level" of jazz education.Schedule
A master time schedule and other information will be sent to all ensemble directors in mid April. Groups will be scheduled according to date of entry, performance time preference, and distance from the festival site. There is a limit on the number of applicants that can be accepted. The more quickly the entry is sent, the better.
Warm-Up
Each group will be limited to 25 minutes for warm-up in an assigned rehearsal room. This room will contain chairs, stands and a piano but no other equipment.
Equipment
The festival will provide the equipment listed below at each performance site:
- PA System with 3 solo mics, piano mic, bass direct to PA
- Acoustic Piano
- Bass Amp
- Guitar Amp
- Music Stands, Chairs
- Drum Set (NO cymbals)
***This means you will need to bring your own cymbals and stands***
Adjudication
During your group's performance, one adjudicator will write comments and another will provide a clinic following your performance in another room. Through a rotation of either writing or providing clinics, you and your students will get direct, constructive feedback concerning your performance.
Music
Each group will perform two or more selections within the 25-minute time limit. It is strongly suggested that all music be in the jazz style, and include at least one selection that is the blues.
Recording
Each group will be provided a recording of your performance.
Location, Location, Location!
The will take place in the Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building. Completed in 2004, this facility boasts pristine acoustics, state-of-the-art recording and first-class surroundings.
Check in & Time Estimates
Registration/check in on the days of the festival is in the Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building rotunda. The festival will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m. each day.
Awards
Outstanding musicians will be recognized and given certificates.
Fees
$375.00 per ensemble
Questions?
For more information, contact the Music Department via email or at 509-963-1216.
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