BROWNWOOD – September 25, 2026 – More than 70 high school musicians from across Central and West Texas recently had the opportunity to spend a day on the Howard Payne University (HPU) campus learning from college music professors and professional musicians during a hands-on jazz workshop.
The High School Combo Jazz Clinic and Workshop brought students and their teachers from 10 high schools to HPU for a day of instruction, performance and musical collaboration. Students attended from Electra High School, San Angelo Central High School, San Angelo’s Emmanuel School for the Arts, Brady, Eastland, Dublin, Mineral Wells, Sweetwater, Brownwood and Early.
“Young musicians are well-trained in accurately reproducing music from the printed page,” said Stephen Goacher, HPU professor of music. “However, finding that secret song that expresses part of your soul — creating music, improvising — stimulates and develops new areas of the brain. Through creativity, students experience discovery. Through discovery, students explore the world of possibilities.”
Goacher said the workshop provided students with a unique opportunity to develop their own creative voices while learning in a university setting.
The workshop was presented by Goacher and James Bode, artist-in-residence in HPU’s School of Education and Fine Arts. Assisting with the workshop were several professional musicians and educators, including HPU alumnus Dr. John Kennedy, trumpet, of South Plains College in Lubbock; Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, trombone, professor at Hardin-Simmons University; Stacey Nash, bass, of Lubbock ISD; the Rev. Henry Smith, piano, associate pastor and music minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Abilene; and Dan Andersen, guitar, professor at Temple College and Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
The event gave high school students the opportunity to learn directly from university faculty and professional musicians while experiencing what it is like to participate in a college-level music environment.
The day began with a 10 a.m. performance by HPU’s Faculty Jazz Combo. Following the concert, students participated in clinics designed to help prepare them for upcoming auditions for the Texas All-State Jazz Band.
The students then explored improvisation, a foundational element of jazz that challenges musicians to create music in the moment. The final workshop placed students who had not previously met into nine-member jazz combos. Working with their teachers, the students had one hour to learn a standard jazz selection and prepare their own improvisations before performing in a 5 p.m. concert featuring all of the student combos.
The workshop was part of HPU’s ongoing commitment to providing music education opportunities for students in rural and small school communities. HPU’s Department of Music serves as the Center for Rural and Small School Music Education TEA County/District 025501.
Goacher and Bode will present the second annual High School Big-Band Jazz Workshop on Jan. 30, 2027, continuing HPU’s opportunities for high school musicians to learn, perform and grow alongside college faculty and professional musicians.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.