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The McPherson College Jazz Festival to Feature the Mike Steinel Quintet

The McPherson College Jazz Festival is proud to present The Mike Steinel Quintet in concert at the McPherson Opera House on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 and $5 for students and may be obtained at the door or by calling the ticket office at 620-241-1952. The concert will also include warm-up selections from the McPherson College Jazz Band under the direction of Kyle Hopkins, associate professor of music and director of bands, and the Smoky Valley High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Shawn Knopp.

Mike Steinel, originally from Marion, Kan., is an internationally recognized jazz performer and educator who has taught Jazz Studies at the prestigious University of North Texas for 28 years. Steinel is best known as author of “Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble,” a popular jazz band method used by student musicians around the world. His numerous original compositions are published and performed all over the globe. He has performed and recorded with scores of prominent musicians, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Cobb, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Shew and Lee Greenwood.

Hopkins said he was excited to welcome such a talented musician and native Kansan to the festival.

“In just our second annual McPherson College Jazz Festival, we have one of the top jazz educators, composers and performers in the world,” Hopkins said. “What makes that even more special is that he grew up in Marion, just down the road from us.”

The Steinel Quintet’s performance is the final event of the McPherson College Jazz Festival, which will bring more than 400 middle school and high school student performers to McPherson on Nov. 5 and 6. This is the second year that Hopkins and McPherson College and have hosted this highly successful jazz festival.

The festival will feature 22 bands from 20 Central Kansas schools performing on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mingenback Theatre and Brown Auditorium on the campus of McPherson College. These festival performances are free and open to the public. The Steinel Quintet members will serve as adjudicators and clinicians for the festival on Nov. 5.
School bands will be performing from Hesston High School, Salina South High School, Salina Central High School, Nickerson High School, Chapman High School, Chapman Middle School, Abilene High School, McPherson High School, Inman High School, Larned High School, Smoky Valley High School, Wichita South High School, Goddard High School, Newton High School, Fort Riley Middle School, Lakewood Middle School, Hillsboro High School, Sterling High School and Sterling Middle School.

Then on Friday, Nov. 6, the Steinel Quintet will visit area schools, giving jazz masterclasses. The festival will culminate with the Quintet’s performance that evening at the Opera House. Other members of the Steinel Quintet include Rosana Eckert, an internationally recognized live and studio vocalist, songwriter, jazz educator, and voice-over talent; and Pat Coil, a celebrated pianist, composer and programmer. Rounding out the group are professional musicians and recording artists Jeff Eckels on bass and Steve Barnes on drums.

The Jazz Festival and final concert are sponsored by McPherson College and Holman, Snell and Munsey Financial Services. More information is available by calling Hopkins at 620-242-0521.