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High school musicians from across the region will gather at Lincoln Trail College on Feb. 10 for the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Jazz Festival, a one-day immersive event designed to give students a collegiate-style jazz experience.
The festival brings together select high school students who were nominated by their band directors and chosen to participate based on musicianship and interest in jazz. Throughout the day, students will rehearse in large ensembles, work with experienced directors and local musicians, and explore jazz style, improvisation and ensemble performance. The event concludes with a public concert featuring the student ensembles alongside IECC jazz bands.
“This is a one-day immersive jazz experience for high school musicians from across the region,” said Jena Combs, who is coordinating the event. “They get to rehearse, learn and perform in a setting that really mirrors what a collegiate jazz experience feels like.”
The festival marks the return of a jazz-focused event at IECC after many years. Combs said renewed interest in jazz and a growing need for access helped make this the right time to bring it back.
“There’s a strong enthusiasm from both students and directors for opportunities like this,” she said. “Not every school has the resources to offer a jazz band, and our programs at IECC have grown to a point where we’re ready to reconnect and restore opportunities that had faded over time.”
Combs said events like Jazz Fest are especially important for students who may not otherwise have the chance to experience jazz in a full ensemble setting.
“Jazz really emphasizes listening and working together in a way that’s different from other musical settings,” she said. “Students have the freedom to take risks, react to what they’re hearing around them and make their own musical decisions while still being part of a group. That balance between structure and freedom helps them grow not just as musicians, but as people.”
The day-long festival also strengthens ties between IECC and area high school music programs by creating direct collaboration between students, directors and college musicians.
“Often students choose a college or a music program because of a positive experience they had on campus,” Combs said. “Opportunities like this help students see IECC as a welcoming, creative place where they can continue making music after graduation.”
Combs said one of the most rewarding parts of the festival is watching students gain confidence as the day progresses.
“When the groove settles in and they realize how powerful a full jazz ensemble can be, it really clicks,” she said. “Those moments renew my passion for creating new experiences for students and pushing them to open up musically.”
She hopes students leave the festival inspired and confident, knowing they belong in music and have opportunities to keep growing.
“This Jazz Festival is really about the community,” Combs said. “It’s about celebrating music, supporting young musicians and showing that meaningful artistic experiences can thrive right here in our region.”
The festival concert begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
