Oct. 8, 2026鈥揟he 含羞草社区 School of Fine Arts, the music program and 含羞草社区 Bands will celebrate the 40th annual Tournament of Champions. The field show competition for area high school marching bands will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

More than 600 students representing 16 bands from Missouri and Iowa will compete, with the awards presentation scheduled for 7:15 p.m..

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors. Children 12 and under are free. Concessions will be open for those wanting refreshments.

The full schedule includes:

2 p.m. Lathrop High School
2:15 p.m. Maysville High School
2:30 p.m. Sherwood High School
2:45 p.m. Lafayette County High School
3 p.m. Richmond High School
3:30 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Savannah High School
3:45 p.m. Marshall High School
4 p.m. Harrisonville High School
4:15 p.m. Central High School
4:30 p.m. Liberty High School
4:45 p.m. Break
5:15 p.m. Kirksville High School
5:30 p.m. Raytown High School
5:45 p.m. Lewis Central High School
6 p.m. Break
6:15 p.m. Oak Park High School
6:30 p.m. Staley High School
6:45 p.m. Platte County High School
7:15 p.m. Awards Ceremony

For more information please contact Bob Long at 816-244-5840, or long@missouriwestern.edu.听

The Tournament of Champions was started by longtime music professor of woodwinds, Richard Yeager, and former director of bands Jim Cochran. The event was originally scheduled on Saturdays, but due to the increasing number of festivals, it was moved to Tuesdays by former director of bands Jeff Hinton. By 2000 it was hosting 28 bands. After that year it became an invitational, limiting the number of bands. Even with the advent of dozens of other festivals around the state, TOC is still considered one of the most performance friendly venues due to the design of Spratt Stadium.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Oct. 8, 2026鈥揟he 含羞草社区 School of Fine Arts presents Flora and Fauna, an exhibition running from Oct. 13 through Jan. 27 in the University Gallery, Spratt Hall room 211. The opening reception is from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 15. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.听

The selected prints bring together diverse works from 含羞草社区鈥檚 Eickhorst Print Collection that depict the timeless relationship between the natural world and human observation. Through a wide variety of traditional and contemporary print methods, the artists capture the delicate complexities of botanical life and the diverse energy of the animal kingdom 鈥� ranging from close-up observation to a more expanded view of the natural world, and in some cases, with humor. The exhibition invites viewers to keep looking and exploring the exquisite details these artists have depicted.

含羞草社区 art history students in assistant professor Holly Rubalcava’s Survey of Art History II course are assisting with research into the artists and print techniques represented, as well as gaining hands-on experience presenting an exhibition.听

Professor Emeritus William Eickhorst鈥檚 generous donation of over 1,000 prints established the Eickhorst Print Collection in 2018 at 含羞草社区. The University Gallery was established to house the collection.听

The gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free. For more information, contact University Curator Robin Vanhoozer at rvanhoozer@missouriwestern.edu.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Sept. 4, 2027鈥揟rumpeter Dr. Keith Benjamin has joined the 含羞草社区 faculty for the 2026-27 academic year as an Artist in Residence. Benjamin will lead 含羞草社区’s applied high brass studios, teaching trumpet and French horn. These studios are open to any interested student, not just declared music majors.

鈥淭his appointment gives Missouri Western students a rare opportunity to study with a performer and educator of national and international standing,鈥� said Dr. Ed Taylor, interim assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Benjamin has taught at the UMKC Conservatory since 1989 and was named a Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Trumpet in 2017. He maintains an active international performance career, including work with the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. His commercial/studio credits include work with artists such as Hugh Jackman, Ben Folds, Peter Gabriel, Idina Menzel and Matthew Morrison.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Sept. 3, 2026鈥揧ears of artwork created by former 含羞草社区 students and faculty members will be the focus of Rediscovered Treasures, an exhibit in the Drew Brown Art Gallery in Potter Hall at 含羞草社区. The exhibit will be on display Sept.8-Oct. 15, with a special opening reception from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.听

Rediscovered Treasures brings back hidden paintings and forgotten prints made by students and faculty years ago. Most are signed and a few are anonymous. Many were done by students in their formative years.

鈥淓arly artwork shows raw talent and ideas are planted here before they grow,鈥� said Robin Vanhoozer, curator. 鈥淪tudents find their voices in these pieces and the ability to take risks is fostered here. The years pass, time ages the paper and fades the color. This collection brings old dreams to light and demonstrates important first steps. Rediscovered Treasures showcases the value of fostering the creative process and the rich tradition of art making in our community.鈥�

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

July 1, 2026鈥揂 composition by Dr. Derek Jenkins, associate professor of music at 含羞草社区, has been selected for performance at the 21st Thailand International Composition Festival, July 5鈥�9, 2026, at Mahidol University in Salaya, Thailand.

鈥淩ock Bottom,鈥� Dr. Jenkins鈥� piece for brass band was chosen from among 200 submissions, with only 12 works ultimately selected for performance. The work will be performed by the Mahidol Brass Band during the festival.

The Thailand International Composition Festival is dedicated to the advancement of contemporary music and the cultivation of new artistic voices.The festival brings together composers, performers, scholars, and audiences from around the world to share ideas, explore new sonic possibilities, and foster meaningful artistic exchange.

Dr. Jenkins joined the 含羞草社区 faculty in 2024. As a composer, his music has been performed throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and Brazil. He received bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri Kansas City and a master鈥檚 degree from Rice University.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 24, 2026鈥摵卟萆缜� students will present a wide variety of video projects at two film festivals. The 含羞草社区 Cronkite Film Festival will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. The 11th annual Griffon Film Festival will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the Trail Theatre, 111 N. 9th Street in downtown St. Joseph. Both events are free and open to the public.

Cronkite Film Festival

The 含羞草社区 Cronkite Film Festival is sponsored by the Department of Communication. It focuses on non-fiction storytelling, showcasing newscasts, sportscasts, individual packages, promos, social media campaign videos and a long documentary. The films were created in digital videography, Griffon Media, social media branding and multimedia storytelling classes throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Griffon Film Festival

The Griffon Film Festival features work by cinematic arts and digital animation students over the academic year. Projects include short narrative fiction, commercials, public service announcements, industrial/educational films, experimental films, traditional animation, 3D computer animation and student game design. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a meet-and-greet and pictures on the red carpet and the awards show starts at 6 and runs until 10 p.m. The first 100 attendees will receive a free small bag of popcorn.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

April 16, 2026鈥揟he 含羞草社区 School of Fine Arts and the MWSU Arts Society present the 含羞草社区 Fine Arts Showcase from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 24 in the Potter Hall Theater. The showcase is free and open to the public.听

The showcase will feature an open house and tours of the newly renovated facilities in Potter Hall. Take in the Senior Art Exhibit in the Drew Brown Art Gallery, explore updated spaces like the digital animation suite and graphic design lab, and enjoy light refreshments in the Dr. George S. Richmond Student Collaboration Center. Along the way you鈥檒l have the opportunity to connect with 含羞草社区 students and experience the creativity that fills these spaces.

Reservations are encouraged but not required. Please call Jennifer Vanourney at 816-271-5910 or email jvanourney@missouriwestern.edu by April 20.听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听

Apr 12, 2026–含羞草社区鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Concert will feature a performance of Antonio Vivaldi鈥檚 鈥淕loria鈥� by the 含羞草社区 Chamber Choir in collaboration with The Choral Experience at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th Street in downtown St. Joseph. The concert, presented by the 含羞草社区 Arts Society, is free and open to the public.听

The concert will bring together 含羞草社区 students and professional choral artists in a shared performance of one of the most celebrated works in the choral repertoire.听

鈥淰ivaldi鈥檚 鈥楪loria鈥� is known for its vibrant energy, lyrical beauty and dramatic contrasts, making it a cornerstone of Baroque sacred music,鈥� said Dr. Paul Dease, director of choral studies. 鈥淭his collaboration highlights 含羞草社区鈥檚 commitment to high-impact learning through performance, allowing students to engage in professional-level music-making while strengthening the University鈥檚 role as a cultural leader in the region.鈥�

含羞草社区 Arts Society members who register in advance get preferred seating and an invitation to post concert reception. To register go to . To learn more about the 含羞草社区 Arts Society go to .听

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

March 27, 2026–The School of Fine Arts at 含羞草社区 will host an opening reception for the Spring Senior Exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 3 at the Drew Brown Art Gallery in Potter Hall. The reception is free and open to the public.

This year鈥檚 exhibit is a culmination of student work from graduating graphic design and digital animation students, and photography from art and journalism students.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to again have a student-focused exhibit that showcases selected applied learning projects throughout their academic careers. This exhibit highlights their creative talent, conceptual ideas, technical proficiencies, and a broad range of problem-solving solutions. It鈥檚 also an opportunity to socialize with students and observe their range of skill sets as our industries evolve, adapt, and continue to prosper,鈥� said Matt Hepworth, associate professor and director of the B.F.A. Graphic Design program.

The exhibition will be on display weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through May 1.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Feb. 12, 2026–The University Gallery at 含羞草社区 is hosting an exhibition titled 鈥淗orizons鈥� through May 1. An opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 in the gallery, located in Spratt Hall room 211. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.听

鈥淗orizons鈥� brings together a selection of printmakers from the Eickhorst Print Collection to explore the line where the earth meets the sky鈥攁 boundary that is simultaneously physical, metaphorical, and deeply psychological. The exhibition investigates the horizon not merely as a landscape feature, but as a site of potential, transition, and limitation. The landscapes in this exhibition explore the genre of the landscape in many diverse ways, challenging the viewer to look beyond the literal horizon.

The Eickhorst Print Collection is more than 1,000 art prints collected by Dr. William Eickhorst, professor emeritus, who served on 含羞草社区鈥檚 art faculty for 28 years. The University Gallery was established in 2018 to house the collection. The gallery in Spratt Hall is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听