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Southwestern Oklahoma State University
01/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/16/2026 11:53
SWOSU Jazz Festival Returns with Concerts, Clinics, and Big Band Festival
Tickets are available for the 56th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival, scheduled for Feb. 19-20 at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford. The festival features two full days of live jazz, including public concerts and educational clinics. As part of the event, the SWOSU Big Band Festival brings middle school, high school, junior college, and university bands from across the region for a non-competitive day of performances and professional feedback.
The festival begins Thursday, Feb. 19 with a free public concert at 7 p.m. in the SWOSU Fine Arts Center Auditorium. Trombonist Andy Martin will perform alongside the Stockton Helbing Trio for an evening of small-group jazz. A kickback will follow at 9 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Lobby Lounge, providing a relaxed setting for conversation after the concert. Snacks will be provided by the SWOSU Music Department.
On Friday, Feb. 20, the SWOSU Big Band Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring bands from across the region. Participating ensembles receive ratings and written comments from judges, many of whom are SWOSU alumni. Admission to Big Band Festival performances and clinics is free and open to the public.
In addition to the Big Band Festival, guest artist Andy Martin will present free jazz clinics at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday in the Hilltop Theatre. The SWOSU Jazz Orchestra will present concerts at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday in the SWOSU Fine Arts Center Auditorium, featuring Andy Martin and the Stockton Helbing Trio as guest artists. A Jazz Sip and Slide Happy Hour will also take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Timothy D. Day Business Enterprise Center.
Tickets for Friday's concerts are currently available and priced at $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students. Additional tickets are available for the Jazz Sip and Slide Happy Hour. Tickets can be purchased online at share.swosu.edu/swosujazzfest26.
Schools planning to participate in the SWOSU Big Band Festival are reminded that registration closes on Jan. 23, 2026. Certificates will be awarded to outstanding high school and middle school soloists in each band, with two soloists receiving free tuition scholarships to a 2026 SWOSU Music Camp of their choice. Registration details are available at https://www.swosu.jotform.com/252358241442857.
The SWOSU Jazz Festival is supported by the SWOSU Foundation. Donations help provide participating school bands with masterclasses and support guest artists and festival organizers. Those interested in supporting SWOSU Jazz can visit https://www.swosufoundation.com/give/give-to-swosu-jazz/.
For more information, contact Dr. Richard Tirk at [email protected] or visit https://www.swosujazzfest.com.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit swosu.edu.
About the Artists
Andy Martin is a nationally recognized jazz trombonist known for his work as a soloist, lead player, and educator. Based in Los Angeles, Martin has performed with major big bands including Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, the Tom Kubis Band, and the Bill Holman Big Band. His recording career spans jazz, television, and film, with appearances on more than 150 motion picture soundtracks and numerous television productions. Martin is also a frequent guest artist and clinician at colleges and universities across the United States.
The Stockton Helbing Trio features drummer and bandleader Stockton Helbing alongside pianist Peter Rioux and bassist James Driscoll. Helbing is an active performer, composer, and educator who has released eight albums as a leader and worked with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Arturo Sandoval. Pianist Peter Rioux is rooted in blues and jazz traditions and has performed throughout Canada and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, collaborating with a wide range of jazz and blues artists. Bassist James Driscoll has been a fixture of the Dallas-Fort Worth jazz scene for more than two decades and has performed with nationally known musicians across jazz and commercial genres.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes. SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on January 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 16, 2026 at 17:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]