Music
Festivals and Camps
The Camp Experience
As you delve deeper into the music department, you discover a vibrant tapestry of festivals and camps that serve as the beating heart of the community. Picture yourself navigating through the sea of instruments, the cacophony of practice sessions merging into an exuberant symphony of anticipation. These experiences within the music department aren't just about sharpening your skills or understanding complex musical theories. They're about the human connections you forge and the shared joy of making music. It's here where you truly understand what it means to be part of a musical community, feeling the unity and harmony not just in the melodies, but in the shared experiences as well.
Throughout the year, the CWU Department of Music is host to a number of diverse music festivals and camps, which serve to promote a higher level of music education in the state of Washington.
These gatherings offer participating students and school groups the opportunity to perform for and with professionals who offer clinics, adjudications, and concerts. The students also are able to meet other groups from around the state and hear performances by CWU music ensembles. If you are a music educator please note the festival dates and coordinators as listed below.
2025-2026 Academic Year
- March 12-13, 2026 Orchestra Festival
for more information contact: Dr. Nikolas Caoile - April 24-25, 2026 WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Competition
For more information contact the WMEA. - May 7-8, 2026 John Moawad Invitational Jazz Festival
For more information contact: Dr. Keith Karns - June, 15-18, 22-26, 2026 CWU Summer Literacy for Youth in Music (SLYM)
For more information contact Dr. Yerin Kim
2026-27 Events
- July 13-18, 2026 Jazz Camp
For more information contact: Dr. Keith Karns - Summer 2026 Tacoma Youth Symphony Summer Orchestra Festival
For more information contact: Tacoma Youth Symphony - TBA, 2026 Clarinet Fest
For more information contact Prof. Josephine Wells - Oct. 16-17, 2026 PianoFest
For more information contact Dr. Yerin Kim - Nov. 19-20, 2026 Fall Choral Classic Festival
For more information contact: Dr. Nicole Lamartine - March 4-5, 2027 WindFest
For more information contact: Dr. T. André Feagin - March 11-12, 2027 Orchestra Festival
for more information contact: Dr. Nikolas Caoile - April 23-24, 2027 WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Competition
For more information contact the WMEA. - Apr. 30 - May 1, 2027 John Moawad Invitational Jazz Festival
For more information contact: Dr. Keith Karns
CWU News
Kittitas County awards second two-year contract to CWU mental health clinic
March 11, 2026 by David Leder
2026 Student Civic Leadership Award recipients announced
March 11, 2026 by Rune Torgersen