Register here for the 2026 Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival
It is my pleasure to announce that the 52nd annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival will be held on the UMD campus, Friday and Saturday, March 20th and 21st , 2026. This Festival will be non-competitive in nature, offering positive, learning-based experiences for young jazz ensembles and will include many outstanding performances. Middle and High School performances and clinics will be on SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST, 2026 Concerts are listed below:
Friday, March 20th Sharel Cassity, saxophone; Ryan Frane, piano; Gordon Lewis , bass and TBA, drums in Weber Music Hall. Friday, March 20th, 7:30, Weber Music Hall, Adult Tickets - $15.00, Student Tickets - $8.00
Saturday, March 21st Sharel Cassity, saxophone with UMD Jazz Ensemble I and UMD Jazz Ensemble II Saturday, March 21st, 5:30, Marshall Performing Arts Center, Adult Tickets - $15.00, Student Tickets - $8.00
The Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival will also include:
- Performances by UMD Jazz Ensembles
- 40 minutes of individualized time for your ensemble. Most ensembles perform for about twenty minutes and are then critiqued by two clinicians for another twenty minutes.
- Adjudicators. Including leading jazz educators from colleges across the country to adjudicate and clinic your ensembles and directors.
- Non-competitive atmosphere. This positive, learning-oriented approach has become a hallmark of the Head of the Lakes Festival. No trophies or defeats, just jazz music, hard work, and fun!
- Clinics. Numerous clinics will be given by the guest artists, UMD jazz faculty and by our adjudicators, all of whom are recognized leaders in their fields.
- Scholarships. The chance for instrumentalists to audition for a scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth as a music major!
- Prizes. Performance certificates and prizes will be awarded to individuals who offer outstanding performances during the day.
Please register for the festival online by the March 1st deadline so that we can hold a spot for your ensemble(s) at this year’s festival. The fee for participants will be $200.00 per ensemble. We will fill performance spots on a first come, first serve basis so please get your reservation form in early. Upon receipt of your registration fee, we will contact you regarding payment, hotel accommodations and other information.
I look forward to seeing you this year, and to hearing your ensembles perform. If you have any questions regarding
the festival, please feel free to contact me at (218) 726-8184, or by email at [email protected] Gordon Lewis, UMD Jazz.