FESTIVAL INFO

For 2024, we're excited to return to a 2-day format! This year's festival will be held December 5-6 in Kansas City, KS.  Registration info and other details coming soon…

CONTACT

Please direct all festival-related questions to: 

John Stafford II, M.M.  
Associate Professor of Music 
Director of Choral Activities 
Co-Coordinator of Music Department 
Kansas City Kansas Community College 
(217) 979-3094 
jstafford@kckcc.edu

Testimonials

“A fantastic festival that is well run by incredible people. The opportunity to perform, listen to other ensembles, and receive clinic from world class musicians has quickly become a yearly highlight for my program.”

- Dustin McKinney, Kearney High School, Kearney, MO

 

“Our experience at the M-pact Festival could not have been better. Even though we were online, the ease of registration, the professionalism of the organizers, and the invaluable feedback my students and I received made this experience one we will remember and treasure forever. The feedback everyone received was constructive yet supportive and the M-pact members were so kind and personable in addition to being outstanding musicians!! Definitely make plans to participate in this festival if you can. You will be glad you did!”

- Wendy Jones, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

 

“The M-pact Vocal Festival is such a great kick-off to our jazz season!  The clinic with the amazing musicians of M-pact meets our students with encouragement where they are, and inspires them to employ techniques to take their music making to the next level.  This is a festival that supports all groups of all abilities.”

- Heather Nail, Valley High School, W. Des Moines, IA

 

“This is the second year that I have taken my Vocal Jazz Ensembles to participate in the M-pact Vocal Festival.  I can’t stress enough what a wonderful experience it has been for my groups! Feedback from the clinicians has pointed out strengths and addressed areas for improvement with a sense of humor that truly allows nervous students to relax and not only receive, but embrace the constructive criticism.  In addition, the clinicians have provided the nuts and bolts of strategies to change what needs to be changed in a way that allows us to truly run with it as we rise to the next level.  Their demonstration of the techniques are obviously at a level of mastery; but their ability to teach others to do that which they do makes this Festival an inspiring, motivating, and potentially life changing event for our vocal students. John Stafford, Dr. Justin Binek and the whole KCKCC team put on a great festival adapting to allow College Level to Middle School Level to be met where they are and invited to grow.  Some of the additional interest sessions we have attended have included beatboxing, dealing with sound technology, and improvisational singing.   It’s definitely an event that I plan to have my VJEs continue to participate in and highly encourage others to join as well!”

- Lezlie Waltz, RayPec South Middle School, Peculiar, MO