Cotter Schools Announces 2026 Cotter Jazz Festival

Cotter Schools invites the community to attend the 2026 Cotter Jazz Festival, taking place April 17–19, 2026, on the Cotter campus. This annual event will bring together schools from across the region for a weekend filled with inspiring performances, clinics, and masterclasses led by expert clinicians and world-class guest artists. Cotter High School Band Director Andy Meurer shared, “This is the most impactful weekend of the school year for me, not only because I get to see my own bands learn and grow, but because the visiting ensembles have a place to perform, improve as an ensemble, and experience the joy of sharing their music with others. It’s incredibly special. The opportunity to bring world-class guest artists and clinicians to our campus and have them make a direct impact on Minnesota students is truly irreplaceable. Each year, we learn and adapt as we host this event, and this year promises to be an incredible experience for all attendees. I hope to see you there!” Visiting schools this year include: Winona Senior High, Owatonna High School, Central High School Lacrosse (Jazz 1 and 2), Rosemount High School, Kasson-Mantorville High School, Lourdes High School, Hopkins High School, and Austin High School.

Festival Highlights:

• Saturday, April 18: The festival kicks off with an exciting day of performances in the HBP Theater and the Academy Theatre at MCA. High school and middle school jazz bands from across the Midwest will showcase their talents, each receiving valuable feedback from a panel of expert clinicians. This portion of the festival is free and open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience the next generation of jazz musicians up close. It’s a fantastic way for families, students, and music lovers to engage with the rich world of jazz.
• Saturday, April 18 | 7:00 PM: Headliner Concert featuring Bijon Watson and the Explosion Big Band. Bijon Watson is a Grammy Award–winning trumpet player, backed by some of the finest jazz musicians in the Midwest. Tickets for this exclusive concert are $20 and all seats are reserved, providing music enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable evening of jazz.
• Sunday, April 19 | 5:00 PM: Cotter Jazz Festival Finale Concert featuring Cotter’s jazz ensembles performing alongside Bijon Watson. This free concert is open to the public, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a spectacular celebration of jazz and student talent.

The Cotter Jazz Festival continues a strong tradition of excellence in music education, offering students meaningful opportunities to learn from accomplished professionals while sharing their talents with the community. With a focus on education, this non-competitive festival offers Cotter students and visiting bands the opportunity to learn, grow, and improve in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Cotter Schools extends sincere thanks to our event sponsors, Rivercity Heating and Air Conditioning and Goodview Haven, for their generous financial support of this year’s festival. We couldn’t do it without them! 

For more information, updates, and ticket details, please visit: cotterschools.org/jazz-festival.

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of jazz at Cotter Schools!