CENTRAL HOSTS 13TH ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Cape Girardeau Central High School will host the 13th annual Jazz Festival Saturday.

Performances by area jazz bands are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. through 3 p.m., said Ron Nall, director of the Central High School band.

The festival is open to the public. Individuals may attend any of the performances free of charge. Bands will play at both Central High School auditorium and the old gym and performance times are staggered between the two facilities to allow interested persons to listen to all the bands.

During the festival, bands will be evaluated by a panel of three judges and will receive ratings.

"This is not a contest," Nall said. "There will not be a winner. This is a festival. Bands will be judged on their performance of the music."

A highlight of the festival will be a performance of the SEMO All-District Jazz Band at 3:30 p.m.

Students from throughout the district were selected for this band at a tryout in November.

Unlike other festivals, Nall said, no evening performance is planned. Nall said the event ends just after 4 p.m., allowing people a chance to attend the First Southeast Missourian Indian Alumni Shootout basketball game at Central High School.

Among schools participating in the festival are Central High, Jackson, Dexter, Poplar Bluff, Farmington, Hillsboro, Ste. Genevieve and Hannibal.