The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Directed by John Stafford II
The Standard is the award-winning contemporary vocal jazz ensemble at KCKCC. The ensemble has won 14 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards for Outstanding Performance in the Community College category. The Standard has performed at the national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Jazz Education Network. They have also performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop, the New York Voices Jazz Festival and the New York City Jazz Festival at Jazz at the Lincoln Center. The group received a No. 1 rating at the University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival and has shared the stage with such highly acclaimed artists as Take 6, The New York Voices, M-PACT, Carmen Bradford, säje, and Sweet Honey On The Rock.
Fusion Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Directed by John Stafford II
Fusion is an auditioned vocal jazz ensemble designed to study beginning performance practices of vocal jazz styles. Fusion received a No. 2 rating at the 2015 University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival. They have also performed at the Millikin University Vocal Jazz Festival, the North Central ACDA Vocal Jazz Festival, and the The Real Group Festival at Southwestern Community College. The group won its first DownBeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Vocal Jazz Soloist in 2025.
After Hours Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Directed by John Stafford II
After Hours is an ensemble open to community members interested in singing vocal jazz once a week. Participants range in age from high school upperclassmen to older adults. After Hours performs at the major KCKCC Jazz Concerts two to three times a semester. Members of the ensemble performed in concert with Josh Groban the summer of 2022 and with Michael Buble in September 2022.
Chamber Choir
Directed by John Stafford II
This auditioned concert choir of 40+ voices was a 2024 National Finalist for The American Prize Award in Choral Performance. The Chamber Choir has also been selected to perform at the 2026, 2024 and 2019 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. They also collaborated with other music ensembles in the Kansas City Metro, including Ordained and Medical Arts Symphony.