WEST CHESTER, PA — The sound of live jazz will fill the halls of West Chester University this month as the Wells School of Music welcomes audiences back for the 36th Annual WCU Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration of performers, students, and world-class musicians.
Scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 21, the annual festival invites jazz fans from across Chester County and beyond to experience a wide range of performances inside the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre at the Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center. Most concerts are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by WRTI-FM, the festival highlights both rising talent and established artists through concerts, ensemble collaborations, and educational opportunities designed to showcase the depth of West Chester University’s jazz program.
The festival opens with a student-led ensemble performance selected through a competitive audition process, giving emerging musicians the chance to kick off the event with a high-energy midday performance.
Later that evening, members of the Wells School of Music faculty will take the stage for a concert featuring a mix of jazz standards and original compositions, offering audiences a look at the musical talent behind the university’s acclaimed program.
Thursday’s lineup features acclaimed violinist Diane Monroe, known for her expressive and distinctive style, performing in an intimate lunchtime concert.
That evening, the Harrisburg Jazz Collective will bring its inventive sound to the stage. The ensemble is co-led by pianist Steve Rudolph and trumpeter Bill Perbetsky and features a group of accomplished Central Pennsylvania musicians.
On Friday night, the university’s premier big band, the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, will share the stage with two notable figures from the Philadelphia jazz scene: vocalist Joanna Pascale and trumpeter and EVI artist John Swana. The performance will feature arrangements by Philadelphia jazz musician Larry McKenna and others, blending big band energy with vocal and instrumental artistry.
The festival wraps up Saturday with the High School Jazz Festival, presented in partnership with Cavalcade of Bands. The event brings outstanding high school big bands to campus for a day of performances, clinics, and masterclasses led by WCU faculty, giving young musicians the chance to perform and receive professional feedback.
Event Details
- What: 36th Annual West Chester University Jazz Festival
- When: March 18–21, 2026 (Multiple Performances; See Schedule for Times)
- Where: Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center, 817 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
- Cost/Tickets: Most concerts are free and open to the public; the High School Jazz Festival event on Saturday requires tickets
- More Info:
The festival is designed to bring the community closer to live jazz while giving students, faculty, and visiting artists the chance to collaborate and share their craft.
For jazz lovers in Chester County, it’s an opportunity to hear everything from student ensembles to internationally recognized performers—all in one place and, for most concerts, completely free.
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