The last time we saw Osceola County School for the Arts’ nationally recognized jazz program, its was earning a first-place finish at the 2026 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City in May.
The OCSA jazz band will open its 2026–27 concert season with “Jazz Under the Stars” this Friday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at OCSA in Kissimmee. The concert will take place in OCSA's newly-renovated outdoor courtyard, with cookout food, games, and activities beginning at 5 p.m. (In the event of inclement weather, the event will move across the courtyard into the renovated OCSA Theater.)
The Essentially Ellington win was the program’s fifth consecutive Top 3 finish at the prestigious international competition. In the follow-up, the ensemble features 14 seniors, including three students who recently performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and toured China with NYO Jazz.
Friday’s concert will feature all four OCSA jazz bands, giving audiences an opportunity to hear the remarkable pipeline of young jazz musicians developing right here.
