2026 Jazz Madrigal Festival
The annual Northern Arizona University Vocal Jazz Madrigal Festival, one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States, features special guest clinicians and over 140 high school ensembles from Arizona and nearby states. The two-day festival includes a host concert in which choirs from NAU and professional groups of national and international stature appear.
This event will be held in person on the NAU campus in Flagstaff from Thursday, February 5th – Saturday, February 7, 2026. Ensembles of all ability levels are invited to participate in this rated, but non-competitive festival.
Guest Ensemble: New York Voices (The Grand Finale)
For over three decades, New York Voices has stood at the pinnacle of jazz vocal artistry, blending intricate harmonies, improvisational brilliance, and genre-spanning versatility over their ten acclaimed albums. Formed in 1987, the GRAMMY-winning quartet—Kim Nazarian, Darmon Meader, Lauren Kinhan, and Peter Eldridge—has enchanted audiences worldwide, collaborating with jazz legends like the Count Basie Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. Their performances, celebrated for both technical mastery and emotional depth, have graced iconic venues from Carnegie Hall to the North Sea Jazz Festival.
In 2025-2026, New York Voices embarks on their much-anticipated final tour, “The Grand Finale,” marking the end of an era in vocal jazz. This farewell journey is not just a series of concerts; it is a celebration of the group’s enduring legacy and a heartfelt thank you to generations of fans. Audiences can expect a retrospective of their illustrious career, featuring jazz standards, big band classics, and more. As they take their final bows in cities across the globe, New York Voices’ “Grand Finale” promises to be a poignant, unforgettable tribute to the art of vocal jazz and the indelible mark they leave on music history.
Registration & Cost
$300.00 – for each jazz or madrigal ensemble.
IMPORTANT – Registration is only online – we will no longer accept registration forms via email.
Online registration will begin on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7:00 am and will remain open until Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 7:00 am. All schools that register within this period will be included in a lottery, which will take place at 9:00 am on October 15th. Ensembles will be scheduled according to the lottery results and will be notified by Octobe 17th.
Initially, we will accept only TWO ensembles per director. Additional ensembles will be accepted only after all applicants have been allowed to schedule an ensemble. Available slots will be assigned to additional ensembles after the initial registration period. Please note that this will be strictly enforced due to the high demand for festival slots.
Festival Clinicians
We are pleased to announce the following Madrigal clinicians: Dr. Ryan Beeken (Wichita State University), Dr. Jill Burleson Burgett (University of Northern Colorado), and Zanaida Robles (Conductor, Composer, Singer). Aimee Nolte (Jazz Pianist, Vocalist, YouTube Creator) alongside members of the New York Voices will serve as the Vocal Jazz clinicians, and Dr. Craig Peterson (Mesa Community College, Canto Vivo Chorale & Sonoran Desert Chorale) will serve both as a Madrigal and Vocal Jazz clinician.
Please note that we switch clinicians between the different sites.
Host Concerts
The New York Voices and the NAU Shrine of the Ages Choir will present a host concert on Thursday, February 5th and Friday, February 6th at 7:30 pm.
In addition, the NAU Vocal Jazz Ensemble High Altitude will be presenting a free concert on Friday and Saturday from 12:00-1:10 p.m.
Tickets for the evening concerts featuring the New York Voices and the NAU Shrine of the Ages Choir will go on sale November 3rd at 7:00 am by email only. Ticket prices will be $20.00 for students and $30.00 for adults. Full payment (Credit Card, Check, or Confirmed PO) for the host concert tickets must be received by January 10, 2025, or your tickets may be released to the public. Please use this form to order your tickets. Phone orders are not possible.
Important Dates
- October 1: Festival Registration Opens (7 am)
- October 15: Festival Registration Closes (7 am)
- October 15: Festival Lottery takes place (9 am)
- October 17: Festival Participants notified of Performance Times and Venues via email
- November 3: Tickets for New York Voices & Shrine of the Ages Choir go on sale (7 am)
- November 17: Senior Audition sign-ups open. Email KSOM to schedule
- December 12: Festival Payment Deadline. NAU Choral Studies Office must receive your payment by this date to save your reserved time slots.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any facet of the festival, please contact Shannon Spark, NAU Choral Studies Academic Program Coordinator.