WEST CHESTER, PA — A century of swinging rhythms, big band performances and musical memories will come together at West Chester University as generations of jazz musicians return to campus for a three-day anniversary celebration featuring concerts, dancing and a performance by internationally acclaimed vibraphonist Stefon Harris.
The university’s 100 Years of Jazz celebration, scheduled for Nov. 6–8, will honor the legacy of the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, a musical institution whose roots stretch back to the 1920s. The weekend will bring together current students, faculty, alumni and jazz enthusiasts for performances and educational events, including opportunities to hear newly commissioned compositions.
The celebration will also launch a new chapter for jazz education at WCU, with a fundraising campaign aimed at establishing a permanent endowment to support the university’s jazz program.
“This anniversary is about not only celebrating where we’ve been, but it’s also about looking ahead,” said Jonathan Ragonese, director of Jazz Studies at West Chester University. “The Criterions Jazz Ensemble is shaped by generations of extraordinary students, faculty, and alumni. We want to bring that community back together, honor the legacy they created, and help ensure that this tradition continues for the next 100 years.”
A Century of Music at West Chester University
Known affectionately as the “Crites,” the Criterions Jazz Ensemble traces its beginnings to the 1920s, when students formed a ballroom dance band that entertained audiences at university dances, proms and gatherings following Friday night football games.
The ensemble evolved alongside changing musical styles and the university’s academic programs.
In the early 1980s, the Criterions became a faculty-led jazz ensemble as the Wells School of Music established its jazz curriculum.
Today, the Criterions serve as the Wells School of Music’s premier jazz ensemble, performing American popular songs, big band arrangements and jazz standards.
The group has performed throughout the country, recorded albums and collaborated with prominent jazz musicians. WCU describes the Criterions as the nation’s longest-running university jazz band.
The anniversary weekend will recognize former members who helped shape that history, with alumni musicians returning to perform alongside today’s students.
Stefon Harris Headlines Anniversary Celebration
A major highlight of the weekend will be appearances by vibraphonist, composer and educator Stefon Harris, whose international career has included performances and collaborations with leading jazz musicians.
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Harris emerged on the national jazz scene in the 1990s and has since released numerous recordings as a bandleader and collaborator.
His work combines contemporary jazz performance with a commitment to teaching and mentoring young musicians.
Harris has received multiple recognitions in the DownBeat Critics Poll and is known for his distinctive approach to the vibraphone.
He will lead a free masterclass Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Philips Autograph Library, giving WCU students and members of the university community an opportunity to learn directly from an established jazz performer.
Harris will return Sunday, Nov. 8, for the weekend’s culminating concert at 3 p.m. in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.
The anniversary performance will feature Harris alongside the current Criterions Jazz Ensemble and an all-star alumni band.
Audiences will also hear the premieres of newly commissioned works by jazz composers Bob Mintzer and Orrin Evans, written in honor of the ensemble’s centennial.
Three Days of Concerts, Dancing and Reunions
The festivities begin Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. with a free welcome concert featuring the Criterions Jazz Ensemble and Statesmen.
Professors Mark Allen and Jonathan Ragonese will lead the opening performance at Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in the Philips Memorial Building.
The concert will welcome returning alumni and introduce audiences to the anniversary celebration.
Saturday’s activities will include Harris’ afternoon masterclass, followed by an evening devoted to the music and atmosphere of the Big Band Era.
A Dance Soirée: Celebrating 100 Years of Jazz will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the university’s Science and Engineering Building.
The event will feature an alumni dance band and the current Criterions Jazz Ensemble performing music inspired by the era when ballroom dancing was central to the ensemble’s identity.
Guests will gather for a cocktail hour before an evening of dinner, drinks, live music and dancing.
Dean Chris Hanning, Ragonese and other members of the Criterions community will join alumni and current students for the celebration.
Tickets for the soirée cost $100 and include dinner and drinks. Reservations are required.
The weekend concludes Sunday with the anniversary concert featuring Harris, the Criterions and returning alumni musicians.
Supporting the Next Generation of Jazz Musicians
Beyond the performances and reunions, the centennial celebration is helping build financial support for the university’s jazz program.
Through the West Chester University Foundation, the 100 Years of Jazz campaign is raising money to establish a permanent endowment dedicated to jazz education.
The fund will provide ongoing operating support, helping the program expand its activities and maintain opportunities for future students.
The campaign reflects the anniversary’s broader purpose: honoring the musicians who built the Criterions’ legacy while providing resources for the generations who will follow.
Event Details
- What: West Chester University’s 100 Years of Jazz Celebration, featuring concerts, a masterclass, alumni performances and a dance soirée.
- When: Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
- Where: West Chester University, West Chester, PA. Events take place at Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall and Philips Autograph Library in Philips Memorial Building, and the WCU Science and Engineering Building. Individual street addresses were not provided.
- Cost/Tickets: The Friday welcome concert and Saturday masterclass are free and open to the public. The Saturday dance soirée costs $100 per person, including dinner and drinks. Sunday’s anniversary concert requires a ticket; pricing was not specified.
- More Info: Soirée reservations are available at https://www.wcufoundation.org/e/jazz. Tickets for Sunday’s concert are available at https://wcupatix.com/wells-school-of-music.
Weekend Schedule
- Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.: 100 Years of Jazz Welcome Concert featuring the Criterions Jazz Ensemble and Statesmen, led by Mark Allen and Jonathan Ragonese. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. Free admission.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.: Stefon Harris Masterclass. Philips Autograph Library, Philips Memorial Building. Free admission.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 6:30–10:30 p.m.: A Dance Soirée: Celebrating 100 Years of Jazz. WCU Science and Engineering Building. Tickets cost $100, including dinner and drinks.
- Sunday, Nov. 8, 3 p.m.: 100th Anniversary Celebration featuring Stefon Harris, the Criterions Jazz Ensemble and an all-star alumni band. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. Ticketed admission.
For longtime followers of the Criterions, the weekend offers a chance to reconnect with familiar musicians and revisit a century of performances.
For students and younger jazz enthusiasts, it provides opportunities to experience live big band music, learn from an internationally recognized performer and hear new compositions created for the occasion.
As the university celebrates 100 years of jazz, the anniversary will connect the ensemble’s earliest days as a student dance band with its continuing role in music education at West Chester University.
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