Festival Format and Resources
This festival is a non-competitive event intended for high school big bands. The spirit of this festival is all about educating and inspiring students and directors with an exceptional performance in an beautiful venue, performing for some of the greatest jazz artists and educators we can assemble, for a celebration of America's art form.
Bands and directors must be registered for the Essentially Ellington program to participate in this festival. Membership in the Essentially Ellington program is free. You can register HERE to receive 8 FREE charts (via digital delivery) every year and access all of the other benefits of membership.
Duke's music is creative, musical, and timeless, and the intent of this program is to give high school students the opportunity to experience his artistry firsthand. All bands must perform at least one tune from the Essentially Ellington repertoire (which includes much of Duke's music and many, many other composers such as Mary Lou Williams, Benny Carter, Gerald Wilson, Machito, and many others). Jazz at Lincoln Center has made hundreds of charts available for free to you and your band and to add to your library. If you'd like some guidance about which tunes would be suitable for your band (even if it is very young), please email either Dennis Crystal, VP of Jazz Education for SCSBOA (jazz@scsboa.org) or Oliver Beardsley, Manager of Student and Famliy Programs for Jazz at Lincoln Center (obeardsley@jazz.org)
Click Here To Access A Complete List of All Essentially Ellington Repertoire (as of 9/22/22)
If you find a chart on this list that you would like to have, email Jazz at Lincoln Center for a pdf copy (ee@jazz.org) or you can email the SCSBOA VP for Jazz Education (jazz@scsboa.org)
Students will be recognized by the judging panel and clinicians for such awards as: outstanding section or outstanding soloist, but no overall awards will be given for placement in the festival.
All bands will have 30 minutes on stage to use however they like. There are no compulsory requirements (other than performing at least one tune from the EE Repertoire). Have fun and put on a great concert! Our judges will provide you with written and recorded feedback during your performance and two of the judges will give you a feedback clinic immediately after your performance.
Division placement (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Heavy) will have no bearing since this is a non-competitive event. This information is only being collected on the application to give the judging panel some idea of your band's experience and skill level. Don't let your young groups miss out on this rich educational experience. The repertoire does not have to be an obstacle. There are plenty of things that will work for developing bands and they will certainly be inspired to want to play by getting to hear more experienced groups as well. Everybody is welcome!!