TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Highlighters, Temple High School’s premier jazz ensemble, are celebrating their 75th Anniversary during the 2026-2027 school year. The Temple Highlighters will present their 75th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at 5:00 pm at Temple High School’s Auditorium. Tickets are $20 per person and will go on sale beginning in January 2027. A post-concert jam session will be held at Bird Creek Brewing immediately following the concert.
The 75th Anniversary performance will feature the 2026-2027 edition of the Temple Highlighters performing their spring jazz festival set list and also welcome back alumni who would like to perform big band classics from previous Highlighter Alumni Banquet events that include In The Mood, Chameleon, and other alumni favorites. The Temple Highlighters will also present a world premiere by jazz pianist, composer, and Highlighter Alumnae Lizette Wong to commemorate the event!
Temple ISD is home to the oldest jazz curriculum in the State of Texas. Established in 1952, Mr. Durward Howard set out to create and develop a curriculum that helped enhance the fine arts experience in Temple ISD. Mr. Howard worked to create dedicated class periods that focused on developing jazz musicians at the middle school and high school level. Mr. Howard’s curriculum focused on relevant jazz repertoire of the big band traditions, improvisation, and jazz history.
“Music education is a vital element to developing a well-rounded education for our students,” said Marcos Duran, Director of the Temple Highlighters and Assistant Director of Bands at Temple High School. “When you are fortunate, like Temple ISD, to develop a dedicated jazz curriculum at the high school and middle school levels, you create more artistic experiences for students to express themselves; you allow them to learn the music of the American people that was cultivated within our communities; and you give them insight to the historical impact this music has had on generations of musicians. As an alumnus of this program, and now director of the Highlighters, our job is to share the history and traditions of this group and pay it forward to the next generation. We hope alumni from the past will share their favorite stories, memories, and experiences!”
Alumni interested in performing for the event or displaying any photos, videos, or memorabilia, should contact Duran at [email protected]. Follow the Temple Wildcat Band Facebook Page for more information and event updates. Alumni who have signed up to perform will receive access to performance music beginning in January.