Jazzfest

Featuring STEVE SNYDER

and

The DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra

Friday, November 22, 2024

Registration

The DePauw Institute of Music welcomes all interested high school jazz ensembles to participate in the annual DePauw Jazz Festival. As a registered participant, each group will receive feedback for their high school ensemble and be eligible to participate in master classes with the band members of the DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra.

Registration is available on a first-come-first-served basis. We recommend registering early to ensure space for your group. Registration for this year's festival is $300 per ensemble.

Register here

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Participant performances and clinics
Friday, Nov. 22  •  10 a.m.–2:40 p.m.  •  Rooms TBA

Section clinics with members of the DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra
Friday, Nov. 22  •  2:40 p.m.  •  Rooms TBA

DePauw University Jazz Ensemble clinic
Friday, Nov. 22  •  3:40 p.m.  •  Moore Theatre

DePauw University Jazz Ensemble Concert
Friday, Nov. 22  •  4:20 p.m.  •  Moore Theatre

All-Star DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra
Friday, Nov. 22  •  7:30 p.m.  •  Kresge Auditorium

STEVE SNYDER

Festival director Steve Snyder is a pianist and organist who maintains an active playing schedule locally, nationally and internationally. Snyder was selected as one of 66 pianists from all over the world to compete in the Martial Solal International Jazz Piano Competition, which was held in Paris, France, in October 2002.  

He has performed in France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Taiwan, as well as throughout the U.S. and Canada. A partial list of notable performances includes Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, Jonathan Kreisberg, Dave Stryker, Bobby Broom, Victor Goines, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Dick Sisto, Eric Alexander, Mace Hibbard, Brannen Temple, Efraim Owens, Art Gore, Brad Goode, Jeremy Long, Robben Ford, and Chris Maresh. His work as an organist and pianist is documented on 20 recordings found on various independent releases since 1992.

The Austin Chronicle has called his work “superb.” Seemagazine.com describes “incredible solos...particularly from the not-so-surprisingly sensational Steven Snyder.” And François van de Linde, writing for UK’s Jazz Journal, says his “sound is modern and his lines are balanced like the sentences from a Hemingway story. He is rooted in the modern jazz tradition of pioneers Larry Young and Don Patterson and their disciples as Arno Krijger and Brian Charette.” 

Prof. Snyder holds a D.M.A. degree in piano performance (jazz emphasis) from The University of Texas at Austin, along with an M.M. and B.M. in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, where he was a member of the 1:00 Lab Band appearing on four recordings over a two-year period. He also has appeared on recordings with Randy Brecker, Dave Stryker, Robben Ford, Jonathan Kriesberg, Kenny Phelps, Joel Tucker, Brannen Temple, Mace Hibbard, Chris Maresh and many others. Read more about Steve Snyder here. 

DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra

This year’s festival marks the return of the DePauw Jazz Festival Orchestra. The orchestra consists of professionals and educators from across the country whose work has included performances with Count Basie, Harry Connick Jr., Dizzy Gillespie, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, Dick Oatts, Joey DeFranesco, and many others. In addition, members of the orchestra have taught at top-tier institutions throughout the United States and across the world.

These activities are made possible in part by Arts Illiana, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.