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Jazz Festival at McPherson College to Involve Whole Community

The McPherson College Jazz Festival will have something to offer everyone this year –area students, members of the community, and – now – a new opportunity just for McPherson College alumni.

The McPherson College Jazz Festival – now in its third year – will kick off with a public concert by the Doug Talley Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the McPherson Opera House. Tickets may be purchased from the opera house by calling 620-241-1952.

Kyle Hopkins, band director and associate professor of music, said he was especially excited to see the quartet perform.

“They are quite a famous group,” he said, “but just as importantly for us they are fabulously respected educators.”

New this year, the professional jazz performance will also include McPherson College hosting a special reception following the quartet’s performance for McPherson College alumni.

The next day on Nov. 3, everyone is invited to see more than 400 middle school, high school, and college students perform for the annual jazz festival on the campus of McPherson College. There will be 20 bands from 18 different schools performing, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend the free performances, which will be happening throughout the day.

“This festival has great appeal to students, community members and now alumni,” Hopkins said. “Making our annual festival inclusive of all these groups is a really unique and a powerful event for us.”