Monterey Jazz @ TSU: April 4-5, 2024

Monterey Jazz at TSU

About the Festival

Texas Southern University has partnered with the world-renowned Monterey Jazz Festival to bring a FREE Music Symposium on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, 2024, featuring Artist-in-Residence, Darin Atwater-Artistic Director of the Monterrey Jazz Festival. All Greater Houston-area high schools, middle schools, and the community are invited to participate in this special event. 

  • Network with Professionals and Peers
  • Learn Insider Secrets in the Music Industry
  • Pick the brains of TSU faculty and industry professionals
  • Jam with your colleagues and spark life-long collaborations
  • Build the foundations of a career in the music industry

Artist-in-Residence Darin Atwater

Born in Washington DC, Atwater attended both Morgan State University and Peabody Conservatory and made his orchestral debut as both composer and pianist with the National Symphony Orchestra performing his Piano Concerto. 

Atwater is a master inventor of musical hybrids. From the Emmy Award-winning – jazz-tinged – Song in a Strange Land to Day of Affirmation – commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center – along with numerous arrangements for gospel legends Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, and Yolanda Adams. He has blended jazz, gospel, and classical music into dazzling fusions. 

Atwater is the Founding Artistic Director of Soulful Symphony, a uniquely American orchestra of national stature that has become the benchmark for innovation and diversity. It has broadened the audiences engaging in music in the concert hall, literally redefining the symphony experience all while contributing to the canon of American Roots music.  

He joined the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University where he teaches American Roots music and culture and serves as a diversity advocate supporting the selection and evaluation of repertoire taught and performed at the Conservatory.

Atwater was recently appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival - the longest running Jazz Festival in the world!

Schedule of Events

Date Details
Thursday, April 4 - Artist Tools - Master's Secrets MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL DAY

Morning (9:00-11:30 a.m.)
Performance Tools:  
Presenter: Darwin Atwater 

Topics: 
  • Mastering your craft
  • Developing your artistry
  • Communicating your vision
  • Cultivating professionalism
11:30 a.m. - Lunch

Afternoon (12:30-1:30 p.m.) Master’s Secrets: Panel Discussion on Music Industry Darwin Atwater, Ariel Pirela, Area Professionals

Topics:

  • Pursuing your dream
  • Breaking into the industry
  • The role of a college education
  • Developing a network

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/cSKU1z33gp7jACgu9 

Friday, April 5 – Career Tools - Industry Secrets

COLLEGE PROFESSIONAL DAY Morning (10:00-12:00 p.m.)
Career Tools: Presenter: Darin Atwater

Topics:

  • Finding your voice 
  • Developing your story 
  • Investing in yourself 
  • Making yourself stand out

Afternoon (12:30-1:00 p.m.) Music Industry Secrets: Panel Discussion on Music Industry: Darin Atwater, Ernest Walker, Colleen Bailey

Topics:

  • Music entrepreneurship
  • Establishing a revenue stream
  • Branding & marketing
  • Engaging fans & social media

 https://forms.gle/7mvoMJ9n1DFNGQAi8