FSU College of Music faculty, students, and alumni take to the stage at the 2026 Word of [South] festival, Saturday and Sunday, April 25–26.
A festival of literature and music that explores the relationship between the two disciplines, Word of [South] has showcased “mu-aushups”—authors and musicians appearing together—across a wide variety of genres including gospel, hip-hop, pop, bluegrass, jazz, and country, since 2015.
This year the College will bring a wide range of performances to the festival, with music spanning from classical brass to legendary jazz tributes and modern neo-soul, presented by a diverse roster of faculty, students, and alumni.
On Saturday, April 25, the FSU Brass Quintet (Schelvin Robinson and Johniel Najera, trumpet; Gio Pereira, horn; Grant Keel, trombone; Colin Teague, tuba) will perform as featured musicians at an interview with award-winning Major League Baseball player, manager, and author, Mike Matheny, presented by the FSU Institute for Governance & Civics.
On Sunday, April 26, FSU Jazz faculty will present tribute concerts honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Directed by Scotty Barnhart, Professor of Jazz Trumpet and Grammy Award-winning director of the Count Basie Orchestra, these performances will feature faculty, students, and alumni. Special guest performers for the jazz tributes include: Keyon Harrold (trumpet), Victor Goines (saxophone), Stantawn Kendrick (saxophone), Kevin Bales (piano), and Robert Boone (drums, MM ’16).
They will be joined by FSU’s own Leon Anderson (drums), Bill Peterson (piano), Kaleb Thompkins (bass), and Jose Serrano (bass).
Closing out the College’s Sunday schedule is Seminole Vibes, a premier neo-soul and modern music group from the College of Music. Comprising top talent from the College’s Jazz and Commercial Music programs, the band blends soulful melodies with pop overtones. Led by drummer Lawrence Turner, the group features vocalist Sarah Langdon, pianist Ethan Broome, bassist Josh Dennis, and saxophonists Harrison Rook and Robert Langdon.
If You Go
Saturday, April 25
Who: FSU Brass Quintet (Mike Matheny interview)
Where: AC Marriott Ballroom
When: 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 26
Who: FSU Jazz
What: Tribute to John Coltrane
Where: AC Marriott Ballroom
When: 1:00 p.m.
Who: FSU Jazz
What: Tribute to Miles Davis
Where: AC Marriott Ballroom
When: 3:30 p.m.
Who: Seminole Vibes
Where: FSU Student Union at Centennial Field
When: 5:15 p.m.
Visit wordofsouthfestival.com/schedule for more details about the full festival schedule.
