Rock Ensemble Continues Excellence with KU's 11th Student Music Award from DownBeat Magazine

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University's Rock Ensemble I has been honored as the Undergraduate College Winner in the Blues/Pop/Rock Group category of the 2026 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards. The DownBeat Student Music Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education, recognizing the nation's top music programs. This is the 11th Student Music Award for KU's Commercial Music program in the last 10 years.

The Commercial Music program at KU features several large rock ensembles (horns, background singers, rhythm sections), two large jazz ensembles (big bands in the style of Count Basis) and a large Latin Ensemble. More than 130 students audition each semester for participation in these ensembles.

"This award shows the strength and scope of the commercial music program at Kutztown University," said Dr. Kevin Kjos, professor of Music. "KU continues to be one of the nation's top programs for quality, creativity and success."

The DownBeat Student Music Awards recognize the top jazz ensembles at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Nine judges evaluate the participating groups based on several performance criteria including overall sound, proper interpretation, improvisation, creativity, intonation, phrasing and dynamics. The honorees are selected from a competitive pool in which winners must demonstrate a distinct voice in addition to technical proficiency.

Since its founding in 1976, hundreds of musicians, music educators and music industry professionals received their first international recognition as DownBeat Student Music Award winners.

Jazz Ensemble I and Rock Ensemble I each record an album every academic year. These are available on all streaming services. Learn more about KU's commercial music program.