Ensembles focussed on individual expression.

• Jazz Combos

• NOLA Style Brass Bands

• Other non-big band jazz groups

• Vocalists ARE allowed

Big Bands ARE also allowed, but know judging and feedback is weighted on the interaction and not on the arrangements.

We often will have vocalists perform with jazz combos.  Sometimes these students are dedicated vocalists, and sometimes they are instrumentalists who sing on a tune or two.  Our NOLA Brass Bands will often involve their members in singing, too.

Play something that lets the musicians interact.

• Lead sheets, The Real Book, The Real Easy Book, Originals, etc...

Play the head and let the musicians work it out.  This is a festival that focusses on live interaction - not on rehearsed arrangements.

• Don't play a big band arrangement with missing parts.

• The bulk of each performance should be improvisation; live interaction between soloists and rhythm section.

The following will happen during the morning and afternoon of the festival.

• Admission to preliminary performances is free and open to the public

• Please check the schedule once it is published.

• Each group will be assigned a designated storage area

  • Although a festival volunteer will watch the room throughout the day, the Bainbridge High School Band Booster, members, staff, or BISD assume no liability for lost or damaged goods or equipment.

• 30 minute warm-up

• 15 minutes on stage

• 30 minute clinic

• 60 minute masterclass with a guest artist

Groups not associated with a particular school music program MAY register for the festival as alternates.

If there is room in the festival, they will be added to the official schedule.  If there is a viable division in these registrations, there will be an addition to the finals lineup.  Any non-school related group that performs at finals must be made entirely of students that are also participating in their school jazz programs - so long as they have a jazz program at their school (of any kind) to be enrolled in.