Four schools are performing at the Centralstation
At the 36th Jazz Concert of Darmstadt School Bands, four schools from Darmstadt will present their current programs at the Centralstation on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Concert evening with young musicians
The concert starts at 7:30 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm. Admission is free.
The following are included:
- the big band of the Justus Liebig School
- the Edith Stein School Big Band
- the Victoria School Big Band
- the jazz combo of the Ludwig-Georgs-Gymnasium
The band members are between ten and twenty years old. Each group performs a set lasting approximately 25 minutes.
Jazz, Swing, Rock and Pop
The ensembles represent different musical focuses and modern interpretations of jazz. The program ranges from classic big band arrangements to influences from swing, groove, rock, and pop.
Mayor and Head of Cultural Affairs Hanno Benz described the concert as the result of successful support for young talent and as proof of the great enthusiasm for jazz in Darmstadt.
School bands with a long tradition
The LiO Big Band, led by Christoph Schöpsdau, is considered Hesse's best student jazz big band of 2025 and is one of the most distinguished student ensembles in the region.
The LGG jazz combo is led by Uli Partheil and is Darmstadt's oldest student jazz band. The smaller ensemble places particular emphasis on improvisation and modern jazz styles.
The ESS Big Band, led by Oliver Nickel, combines classic big band elements with modern jazz and pop influences.
The Viko Big Band, led by Eduard Kraft, has been part of the musical life of the school and the Darmstadt cultural scene for more than three decades.
School jazz programs are supported, among others, by the Jazz Institute Darmstadt.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk/stip)
