Texas Southern University, the historically Black educational institution in Houston, has entered into a partnership with the Monterey Jazz Festival. The festival has been held annually in California since 1958.
Under the agreement music and business students from Texas Southern University travel to Monterey to participate as production and marketing interns during the festival, providing them with real-world experience and opportunities to work alongside top professionals in the music industry at a world-class event. In addition, a three-day symposium is being held in Houston. Led by university faculty from the music, communications and music industry degree programs, the symposium will include master classes, panel discussions, recording sessions, workshops and more. The symposium will provide students the opportunity to network with professionals and peers, learn insider secrets in the music industry, spark lifelong collaborations, build foundations for a career in the music industry, and prepare students to audition for the Monterey Jazz Festival’s national bands and combos, which tour nationally and internationally.
In addition, students from Houston-based high schools will have the opportunity to audition for the inaugural MJF @ Houston All-Star Ensemble. The conglomerate group will then have the opportunity to perform at MJF’s 50th Next Generation Jazz Festival, which takes place April 3-5, 2020 in Monterey, and at the 63rd Monterey Jazz Festival, September 25-27, 2020.
“Texas Southern University has a long history of educating, training, and employing legendary jazz artists,” said Austin Lane, president of Texas Southern University. “Our award-winning public radio station, KTSU, has been a launching pad for some incredible jazz talent. By partnering with the Monterey Jazz Festival, we are joining with a national brand — one that adds to our already rich legacy, and one that can help propel more young artists into this dynamic music genre.”
