New York, NY (Nov. 10, 2025) Jazz at Lincoln Center is proud to announce the ensembles from ten of the most well-regarded university and college jazz programs in the country selected to compete in the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship, a two-day invitational competition that celebrates the excellence and achievements of the next generation of jazz musicians.
The 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship, which includes big band and combo competition rounds, as well as mentorship with members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, will take place on Sat., Jan. 17 and Sun., Jan. 18, 2026, throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located on Broadway at 60th St., New York, NY.
More information can be found on jazz.org/ncjc.
Ensembles competing in the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship
hail from the following colleges and universities:
Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY)
Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, TX)
Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC)
Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the women and men who represent the best of America’s jazz tradition,” Todd Stoll, Jazz at Lincoln Center Vice President of Education, said. “At a time when funding for university and collegiate jazz programs is increasingly limited, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the musicians’ and band directors’ talent and commitment to the music. We’re honored to provide them with a platform at Jazz at Lincoln Center and recognize their achievements.”
Launched in 2020, the National Collegiate Jazz Championship provides participating ensembles with quality literature and a forum for celebrating excellence and achievement. The higher education program builds upon Jazz at Lincoln Center’s educational methodology and philosophy, extending the organization’s mission into the realm of professional development for the next generation of leading jazz artists.
Bands competing in the National Collegiate Jazz Championship will be judged by a panel of leading jazz performers, composers, and educators. Events will include a combo showcase in The Appel Room, an initial round of competition performances, and a performance by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in Rose Theater. The final competition, with a second round of competition performances by the three top-placing bands, will be followed by an awards ceremony and announcement of the band taking top honors. The ensembles will also participate in rehearsals and workshops throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall over the course of the event.
Tickets for the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship will be available on jazz.org shortly.
Jazz at Lincoln Center serves the largest jazz education program network in the world, and its initiatives are based on the organization’s 38-year history of education in jazz performance and appreciation. Goals of each program are for students to gain insight into American vernacular music and jazz, learn the communal history of jazz in a sociopolitical context, receive guidance on how to better communicate personal objectives, and gain awareness of the mission of jazz musicians today building on the aspirations laid by earlier generations.
Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly acknowledges its 2025-26 season partners: Bloomberg Philanthropies and United Airlines.
A very special thanks to Jody and John Arnhold for their extraordinary support of Jazz at Lincoln Center
and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
We proudly recognize leadership support from Charina Endowment Fund; Dalio Philanthropies; Ford Foundation;
Howard Gilman Foundation, Inc.; Mellody Hobson and George Lucas; Michele and Mark Mandel;
Simon Family Foundation; and the Zou Family Fund.
Leadership support for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s concert season is provided by Lynne and Richard Pasculano.
Major support is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Angela and Robert Kissane; Manitou Fund; the Ambrose Monell Foundation;
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; and Seedlings Foundation.
Generous support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Artists, schedules, and venues are subject to change.
Press Inquiries:
Zooey T. Jones
Senior Director, Public Relations & External Communications
Jazz at Lincoln Center
[email protected]
212-258-9821