Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra Heads to Jazz at Lincoln Center for 2026 National Championship

🎷 National recognition for HBCU excellence! Huston–Tillotson University’s Jazz Orchestra is headed to Jazz at Lincoln Center for the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship.

This prestigious invitation places the Austin-based HBCU among an elite group of collegiate jazz ensembles nationwide, highlighting the university’s growing influence in music education, performance excellence, and cultural leadership.

The national championship appearance represents a major milestone for Huston–Tillotson University, reinforcing the powerful role Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) continue to play in shaping America’s jazz legacy. As the orchestra prepares to represent Central Texas and the HBCU community on a global stage, the selection underscores the university’s commitment to artistic innovation, student achievement, and preserving jazz as a living cultural tradition.

Huston-Tillotson University has launched a fundraising effort to help offset travel and program-related expenses. Contributions may be made at Donate.