HCJO OPENS 2026-27 SEASON WITH FREE CONCERT 

Jazz band will perform at Kollen Park in free concert for the community

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, a professional jazz big band based in Holland, Michigan, will open its 9th season with a free community concert in Kollen Park on Sunday, September 20 at 3:00 p.m.  The band, under the direction of Dr. James R. Sawyer, will present a 90-minute concert of jazz music from several eras, including swing, bebop, and blues music.

“We are excited to present this concert as a gift to the Lakeshore community,” says HCJO Board Chair Keith Walker.  “This is an opportunity for people to hear us who may not have been able to attend one of our other concerts.”  The idea came as Mr. Walker sought to reach new audiences for the band, as well as to be able to give back to the community for their continued support.  “It’s our ninth season, and that is a good indicator of the health of a small non-profit such as ours,” Walker said.  The band was founded in the fall of 2018 by then-Music Director Dr. Jordan VanHemert, who formed the initial board of directors and included Walker as its chair. 

The rest of the band’s season will include the annual High School Jazz Festival, which has been moved to November 10 at the Zeeland HS DeWitt Performing Arts Center.  This concert will feature four local high school jazz bands as well as international jazz trombone artist Altin Sincalar (think 

“sinCLAIR”), who will work and perform with all four bands as well as HCJO.  Dr. Sincalar is an alumnus of Michigan State University and is a highly sought after performer and clinician.  His four-day residency will include rehearsing with the high school groups and HCJO, and various clinics and lessons throughout his stay. 

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra will once again be part of Tulip Time’s WinterFest, performing in the opening concert on Friday, December 4 at the Park Theatre in Holland.  The second annual event, in conjunction with area merchants and businesses, welcomes winter to the lakeshore with performances, ice sculptures, shopping days, and other community activities. 

The band will once again host auditions for high school students to win a spot to be a featured performer with the HCJO at their annual Student Soloist Showcase on April 25, 2027.  In its seventh year, this important educational event showcases the winner of an area-wide audition as a featured soloist with the professional band.  All of the past winners of this event have gone on to pursue musical careers at colleges and universities throughout the United States. 

Inquiries and further information are available by contacting board chair Keith Walker at chair@hollandcjo.org or calling 616-836-1641.  The band’s website address is www.hollandcjo.org.