Let My Children Hear Music

Help support our 17th Annual Charles Mingus Festival and High School Competition, and other educational, archival, and artistic projects!

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The 501(c)(3) Let My Children Hear Music (The Charles Mingus Institute) supports educational activities, events and tours, including the 17th annual Charles Mingus High School Competition at The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at New School, tours by Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra, and archival efforts of the Music of Charles Mingus. Please contribute if you can!

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The 16th Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition & Festival is in full swing!

Events are free and open to the public

More info and livestreams at charlesmingus.org

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 16TH ANNUAL CHARLES MINGUS FESTIVAL & HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION

Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition February 16-19, 2024

The 16th annual event celebrates the musical genius of a jazz legend

Showcases dozens of talented high school students from across the US

NEW YORK, NY, December 22, 2023 — Top high school students from across the United States will celebrate the music of the great jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus (1922-1979) as part of the 16th Annual Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition taking place at The New School of Jazz in New York City. Details for the full weekend festival taking place February 16- 19, 2024, can be found at charlesmingus.org.

The event is organized and presented annually by Let My Children Hear Music/The Charles Mingus Institute and by Dr. Keller Coker and The New School of Jazz, with support from Jazz Workshop, Inc.

In categories for both big bands and combos, twelve finalist ensembles will be featured in this year’s festival. Entrants come from all over the country including California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, and North Carolina.

On Saturday, February 17th, students will explore aspects of Mingus’ music in instrumental clinics, workshops, lectures, and films at The New School of Jazz’s Arnhold Hall at 55 West 13th Street. The day will conclude with Mingus jam sessions for high school student participants.

On Sunday, February 18th, the Mingus Competition is a full day of concert performances by combos and big bands in Tishman Auditorium at 63 Fifth Avenue. Sunday evening, outstanding soloists from the Competition will be invited to sit in with the Mingus Big Band at Drom.

Full press release and more info at CharlesMingus.org