(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – Jazz bands from 46 middle and high schools across the state will perform at the 43^rd UCM Jazz Festival Saturday.

Local schools like Warrensburg and Holden as well as schools from as far away as Marshfield – a town over two hours away – will perform in the festival. Over 500 musicians are expected to be performing during the day-long event.

The festival is organized by David Aaberg, director of jazz studies, who is in his 32^nd year at UCM. Aaberg said the festival was a competitive event that focused on awards and scores, but wanted to make it more of a learning experience.

“This is a non-competitive festival. We originally awarded first, second and third place in each classification, but I decided to change that a few years ago,” Aaberg said. “I’d much rather celebrate the music and I think this is quite a bit healthier.”

Each band will perform for a panel of clinicians who will go on stage and work with the band following their performances. Despite not being a competitive festival, individual musicians will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the end of the day. Bands will also receive scores from the judges.

“We want to acknowledge good work so continuing to give grades to performances regardless of if the event is competitive is important,” Aaberg said.

Senior Todd Anderson is participating in his 11^th jazz festival. He attended all four years with Warrensburg High and every year since coming to UCM.

“It’s a great performance experience for everyone,” Anderson said. “For high school students it’s nice to get on a college campus and see college-level ensembles, as a UCM student, it’s nice to be behind the scenes and involved in the development of the festival.”

All performances are open to the public and admission is free. The festival is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. with bands performing in Hendricks Auditorium, Hart Recital Hall and the Union Ballroom. The UCM Jazz Band will perform twice at noon in Hart and 5:30 in Hendricks followed by presentation of individual awards and team scores.