The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band will be traveling to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana for their annual jazz festival on January 17 and 18.

      Over 2,500 middle school and high school students from across the Midwest will attend the event, which will include clinics and a culminating performance at the university’s campus. The event kicks off with a performance from the Grammy-nominated jazz group Snarky Puppy, according to Purdue University’s website.

       The jazz bands are scheduled to leave Friday after school, just a little over a week since they returned from a trip to Spain.

      “It is a bit overwhelming [to be] continuously moving,” Jacquelyn Brown, senior and band president, said. “Not to mention the Purdue trip is right before finals.”

      Regardless, Brown is looking forward to the event.

      “I am most excited about seeing the other bands perform and connecting with other musicians,” she said.

      This weekend marks the second time Brown will attend the festival. The jazz bands also attended the festival during her freshman year in 2011.