Rules and Regulations

The Festival is open to the following groups:

JAZZ BANDS                                    

12 or more performers on stage at one time.  Contrasting styles and improvised solos recommended

JAZZ COMBOS & TRADITIONAL JAZZ COMBOS (DIXIELAND)

2 - 11 performers.  Improvisation by every member recommended

RHYTHM AND BLUES BANDS/ROCK BANDS

This has been a successful new category for 2 years. We trust the director’s discretion in selection of repertoire.          

(heavy metal discouraged)

VOCAL JAZZ AND VOCAL COMBOS

1-16 singers plus rhythm section. Improvisation encouraged.

CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION

• 101  College or university

• 102  Community group of any age

• 201  Senior high to age 20

• 202  Community group to age 20

• 301  Senior high to age 17 or Grade 12

• 302  Community group to age 17

• 401  Senior high to age 16 or Grade 11

• 402  Community group to age 16

• 501  Junior high to age 15 or Grade 10

• 502  Community group to age 15

• 601  Junior high and community groups to age 14 or Grade 9

• 701  Elementary, Junior high and community groups to age 13 or Grade 8

RECOMMENDED PROGRAM REPERTOIRE

It is suggested that all groups perform 3 selections. Here is a jazz group suggested order:

1) swing

2) ballad

3) up tempo (e. g. latin, swing, rock, funk )

Directors who want an education experience for their students without competition are welcome to enter for adjudication only.  Non-competitive entrants will receive all festival benefits, and their students will be eligible for all awards.

AFFILIATIONS

The West Coast Jazz Festival Music Festival Association is a regional festival for Musicfest Canada. Invitations to Musicfest 2023 and Musicfest 2024 will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators.  Their decisions in this matter will be final.

NOTE:  If you are reaffirming an invitation to Musicfest that you received in 2025, you must attain a Bronze (Good) level or higher in order to confirm your invitation.  An invitation received in 2025  may be used for Musicfest 2026(same school, same teacher) provided you enter a Regional Festival in 2025-26 and attain a minimum Bronze standard.

Format

• 25 minute warm up in a private studio

• 25 minute performance, including setup and take down

• 25 minute clinic on stage with a clinician.  Each group will receive a recorded and written adjudication.

Ratings

• Gold

• Silver

• Bronze

***based on the PCMFA adjudication standards

Equipment

We will provide a sound system, drum set, bass and guitar amps, acoustic piano and vibraphone.  The warm-up and clinic rooms will be set up for performing.

Scores

Please provide two sets of scores.  We cannot accept photocopies, so order extra score sets early.

Entry Fee

$ 490.00 first group 

2nd Group $420.00,

all other groups (same school) $300.00

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

Directors, please spend some time with your groups discussing acceptable festival behavior.  Point out how it must differ from behavior at a rock concert or hockey game.

SECURITY

Although we will make every effort to provide secure storage, the responsibility for equipment must remain with the director and the students.

AWARDS

West Coast Jazz Festival will attempt to provide awards, bursaries, and scholarships for groups and individuals.

****Important: Our West Coast Jazz scheduler will do their best to schedule your group(s) at the best possible times. Please be aware that there are many constraints with scheduling, such as schools who have multiple groups not conflicting and time restrictions (the day can only be so long or we abuse the volunteer staff or the adjudicators). Please also be aware that everyone wants the same times and be prepared to perform any of the 2 days. West Coast Jazz Festival runs on a tight budget with a large volunteer staff. The festival just is not in a position to refund your fees if you do not choose to attend because of your performance time.