(03/06/2025) For more than 20 years, middle school students in Anoka-Hennepin have jammed out in a mid-year concert featuring talented musicians and a festive evening at the Middle School Jazz Festival. 

On March 4, a packed Anoka Middle School for the Arts Fred Moore campus auditorium tapped their feet and clapped to the beat as students from all six middle schools in Anoka-Hennepin displayed their talents. View photos from the Middle School Jazz Festival performances. 

Students in middle school jazz bands meet outside of classroom time, typically once per week before or after school, and rehearse throughout the school year. 

Jazz band features mostly students in seventh and eighth grade, but the occasional sixth-grade student will have the opportunity to participate.

Jazz band also allows students to showcase their talent with more instruments, including piano, bass, and electric guitar.

Each jazz band performed three songs during the festival and the night concluded with teachers from all six schools joining on the stage for a surprise staff performance, which was a hit with the audience, especially the middle school students.