The JAZZ Nation All-State Intensive Workshop is an immersive, one-day jazz education experience designed specifically for high school musicians preparing for the 2026–2027 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble audition process.

This intensive workshop brings together some of the finest jazz educators, professional performers, university faculty, and experienced All-State specialists in Texas for a full day dedicated to helping students grow as musicians and prepare with confidence.

Hosted at the beautiful campus of St. Mary's University in San Antonio, students will spend eight hours learning, performing, collaborating, and developing the skills necessary to excel in the competitive All-State audition process.

This is more than an audition workshop.

This is an opportunity to learn directly from the professionals who perform, teach, and help shape the future of jazz education in Texas.

Successful auditions require more than simply playing the correct notes.

Students must demonstrate:

• Strong jazz style and interpretation
• Consistent time feel and rhythmic accuracy
• Confident articulation and phrasing
• Musical maturity
• Improvisational understanding
• Preparation strategies that create consistent results

The JAZZ Nation All-State Intensive Workshop is designed to help students understand not only what to prepare, but how to prepare.

Several members of our faculty have served as TMEA All-State Jazz audition evaluators and bring valuable insight into the musical qualities and expectations that distinguish outstanding performances.

(Participation in this workshop does not guarantee selection or influence audition results. The goal is to provide students with expert instruction and preparation strategies.)

Throughout the day, students will participate in:

• Instrument-specific masterclasses
• All-State audition preparation sessions
• Faculty demonstrations
• Jazz style and interpretation coaching
• Improvisation development
• Rhythm section concepts
• Practice strategies and routines
• Performance feedback
• Faculty question-and-answer sessions
• Collaborative playing opportunities

Enrollment is intentionally limited to 20 students maximum per instrument room.

This allows students meaningful interaction with faculty and a more personalized educational experience.

Every participant receives the official JAZZ Nation SHED Guide™, an instrument-specific preparation resource created to support students throughout the All-State audition season.

The SHED Guide includes:

• Audition preparation notes
• Instrument-specific concepts
• Practice strategies
• Technical development ideas
• Space for student reflections and personal notes
• Practice planning resources

This guide becomes a student's personal roadmap for continued improvement long after the workshop concludes.

Students will also receive access to exclusive digital practice materials, including jazz groove tracks and play-along resources.

These resources allow students to practice beyond the metronome and develop a stronger connection to authentic jazz performance styles.

Students will be able to practice:

• Time feel
• Groove
• Phrasing
• Improvisation concepts
• Musical confidence

Our goal is to help students practice more effectively by placing them inside the music they are preparing to perform.

Jazz is built on community, collaboration, and shared musical experiences.

During lunch, students will have the opportunity to participate in a Faculty & Student Jam Session featuring professional musicians, university students, and workshop participants.

Students are encouraged to bring their instruments and join the session.

This informal performance opportunity allows students to experience one of the most important traditions in jazz—the opportunity to learn by playing with others.

Lunch is included with registration. 

$130
Available through July 31, 2026

$150
Available August 1–August 18, 2026

JAZZ Nation exists to preserve and advance jazz through education, performance, mentorship, and community engagement.

Through workshops, concerts, collaborations, and professional learning opportunities, JAZZ Nation connects young musicians with exceptional educators and artists while creating pathways for the next generation of jazz performers.