MLCS March 2026 Non-Profit of the Month: Natchez Festival of Music

Miss-Lou Champions Spotlight is proud to recognize the Natchez Festival of Music as our Non-Profit of the Month for March 2026.

For more than three decades, the Natchez Festival of Music has helped define what arts and culture can look like in a historic river town. It is a homegrown organization with a statewide reach, built on community partnerships, professional level artistry, and a steady commitment to making live performance accessible in the Miss-Lou.

The Festival’s story begins in 1990 with a question from Natchez resident Lani Riches after she and her husband, Ron, attended the Santa Fe Opera Festival: why not Natchez. With support from then Mayor David Armstrong, a community meeting was held at Stanton Hall’s Carriage House, and Dr. David Blackburn was asked to develop a conceptual plan. Later that year, when the plan was presented at Monmouth Plantation Historic Inn, the Festival was officially born. From the beginning, it was driven by local leadership and bold vision. The founders are recognized as Lani Riches, Ron Riches, Dr. David Blackburn, and Buzz Harper.

In its early years, the organization’s focus centered on opera. As the Festival gained momentum, it expanded both its programming and its partnerships. A major step forward came in 2001 when Alcorn State University became a major sponsor, strengthening the Festival through performances by the Alcorn Concert Choir and music students, expanded educational opportunities including master’s level coursework, participation in minority musical productions, Broadway shows, and operas, and additional chances for the community to attend performances free of charge. In 2003, the organization was rebranded as the Natchez Festival of Music, reflecting a broader mission that now encompasses a wide range of world class music and live theater.

A "Night at the Oscars part II" from the 2015 Season. Photo courtesy City of Natchez.

The Festival has also evolved through strong artistic leadership. After the passing of Dr. Blackburn, George Hogan became Artistic Director in 2009 and established a partnership with the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. In 2011, leadership transitioned to Dr. Jay Dean, and under his guidance the Festival formed an alliance with The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, further connecting Natchez to a wider network of music festivals and arts organizations across the state. Over time, the Festival has continued to grow through partnerships with groups such as Opera Mississippi, FestivalSouth, and other regional institutions that share a commitment to enriching Mississippi’s cultural landscape.

Today, that long arc of growth is easy to see in the Festival’s current season. The 2025 to 2026 theme, Red, White and Blues: An All American Celebration, reflects the organization’s identity at its best: honoring tradition while welcoming new voices and fresh perspectives. The season includes performances that range from holiday programming to jazz, musical theatre, and genre spanning celebrations of American music.

Highlights include Yule Be Rockin’: Sleigh Bells and Power Chords, a holiday rock cabaret, which was held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Natchez Civic Center. The season continued with The Sound of the Dream, a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Beulah Baptist Church, presented as a free event with donations accepted. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Festival hosted All You Need Is Love, a concert featuring opera, musical theatre, and Great American Songbook favorites, along with silent and live auctions, at the Father David O’Conner Family Life Center.

March brings a special Ragtime Day on Saturday, March 14, 2026, beginning with a morning lecture titled Keys to the Kingdom: The Legacy of Ragtime, followed by an evening concert, Ragtime and Beyond, featuring music from Scott Joplin to Billy Joel. The spring season continues with Songs for a New World on Saturday, May 2, 2026, a musical theatre production built around life changing moments and choices. Jazz fans can look forward to Legends in Time: 100 Years of Iconic, celebrating Miles Davis and John Coltrane, on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The season culminates on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Natchez City Auditorium with Born in the USA: A Celebration of America’s Greatest Music, a high energy finale that moves through multiple eras and styles that shaped American culture.

Click here for the full schedule: https://www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com/home-page-20252026

What makes the Natchez Festival of Music stand out is that it is not simply a performance series. It is an ongoing investment in quality of life, education, and community pride. It draws audiences into historic venues and gathering spaces, brings talented performers into close connection with local residents, and consistently builds bridges between institutions, artists, and the public. That kind of work strengthens a community from the inside out.

For March 2026, we are honored to spotlight the Natchez Festival of Music and the people who keep it moving forward. Their legacy is real, their impact is ongoing, and their best chapters are still being written.

Learn more by visiting their website, natchezfestivalofmusic.com .

Thank you to our Miss-Lou Champion Spotlight partners for helping us spotlight champions and spread positivity throughout the Miss-Lou: