As a fully invested partner in music education, the music department hosts numerous high school music festivals each year, and music faculty members are in demand as conductors, clinicians and performers.
As a fully invested partner in music education, the music department hosts numerous high school music festivals each year, and music faculty members are in demand as conductors, clinicians and performers.
Choral
11th Annual High School Choral Festival
· Nov. 6 – Director of Choral Activities Jenny Bent will host the 11th Annual High School Choral Festival. Four hundred high school choristers from Sonoma and Marin counties perform before guest adjudicator Dr. Richard Robert Rossi, director of choral and orchestral activities at Eastern Illinois University. The day culminates with Command Performances at 7:30 p.m. in Weill Hall featuring the top choirs as well as a performance by the SSU Chamber Singers conducted by Jenny Bent.
Jazz
1st Annual Sonoma State Jazz Day
· Nov. 8 - Jazz Studies director Doug Leibinger will host the 1st Annual Sonoma State Jazz Day. Invited high school jazz players from throughout the North Bay will perform for and interact with members of the SSU Jazz faculty in Weill Hall. Family and friends are welcome to stay and listen. The day closes with a 7:30 p.m. performance by the Faculty Jazz Ensemble co-led by Doug Leibinger and George Marsh. Tickets will be sold. Call 707-664-2353 for details.
Wind Band
Inaugural Sonoma Invitational Wind Band Festival
· March 9 – The inaugural Sonoma Invitational Wind Band Festival, hosted by Andy Collinsworth, director of Bands and Music Education. Selected high school bands from California and Nevada will receive intensive coaching and clinics with guest adjudicator Gary W. Hill, director of ensembles at Arizona State University. The festival kicks off Friday evening, March 8, with a performance by the Sonoma State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Weill Hall. Featured guests include trombonist Kyle Covington, principal trombone of the San Diego Symphony, and conductor Gary W. Hill. Tickets will be sold. Call 707-664-2353 for details.