CRITERIONS Jazz Ensemble Alumni Return to WCU for Moving Tribute Concert Honoring H. Lee Southall
Free Public Concert Set for Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert
Hall
The swing is back in town! On Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m., alumni of West Chester University’s renowned Criterions Jazz Ensemble will reunite on stage for a special free public concert in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. This year’s concert is dedicated to the memory and legacy of H. Lee Southall, beloved founder of the Criterions Alumni Jazz Ensemble and former WCU professor who passed away this past year.
In what has become a cherished summer tradition for nearly four decades, more than 35 alumni, including eight first-time participants (some dating back to the 1960s), will travel from near and far to reconnect, rehearse, and perform for the community. Their shared history and love of jazz will be on full display in a powerful evening of music, memory, and celebration.
"This year’s concert is more than a reunion — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the man who brought so many of us together,” said Dave DiValentino, current director of the Criterions Alumni Jazz Ensemble.
“Lee Southall helped generations of students find their voice in music and in life. His legacy is the reason we’re still playing.”
The concert will feature selections submitted by band members that hold special meaning and remind them of Southall’s influence, including pieces from the libraries of Buddy Rich, Gordon Goodwin, Sammy Nestico, Bob Curnow, and more. Between musical selections, alumni will share personal stories and reflections about Southall’s impact on their lives and careers.
Opening the concert is the Camp Big Band, comprised of talented young musicians participating in WCU’s Summer Jazz Camp held during the same week. Their performance underscores Southall’s lifelong dedication to nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians.
Lee Southall’s association with West Chester University spans more than 60 years — as a student, faculty member, and director. He became the first official faculty director of the Criterions and founded the alumni ensemble in 1986, inspired by similar jazz alumni traditions at other universities.
“The Criterions have always been known as a prestigious group on campus,” Southall once said. “We all share a love of great jazz and an unbreakable bond. It is as much social as it is musical.”
The Criterions is one of the longest-running university jazz bands in the nation, originating in the 1920s as a student-led dance band before evolving into a celebrated jazz ensemble known for its mastery of American popular songs and jazz standards.
Join us for this free concert as we honor the music, memory, and enduring spirit of H. Lee Southall. The event is open to the public and no tickets are required.
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers nationally accredited programs and exceptional performance opportunities for students pursuing careers in music education, performance, composition, and more.