Large Ensemble Division
Register for 2026 Festival Here
Each ensemble must have a minimum of 14 student musicians performing.
Music selections, quantity of selections, and styles are all at the discretion of the directors, however there should be a clear jazz influence. It is not mandatory, however varied styles/selections are suggested. Our adjudicators want to see what you do well and how much you can do well! The only limitation is the 20 minutes of performance time allotted for each group.
Whenever possible all schools in each category and each performing group will be placed in the appropriate division by school population. Example: If due to the number of HS Large registrations we create HS Large Division L1 & L2 with 2 panels of adjudicators we will divide schools at some point by total school populations. We would then have an L1 Division winner and an L2 Division winner. Schools electing the Jazz Master competitive option are all scheduled for Division 1 regardless of school population.
info@nationaljazzfestival.org
If a school has more than 1 ensemble in a performance category, each ensemble must be composed entirely by other (different) students or register as non-competitive. The only exception would be in instrumental ensembles where the student is playing an entirely different instrument in each ensemble. There are no exceptions in the vocal categories.
Contact us with questions before registering. info@nationaljazzfestival.org
All ensembles are allotted a maximum of 20 minutes of performance time. Each ensemble will be timed from the first note of their first performance selection until the final cut-off of their final performance selection. Ensembles may not “restart” their performance for any reason. Once the clock starts it will continue to run. The 20 minutes of performance time is finite. Any ensemble exceeding the 20-minute performance time will be automatically disqualified. A timing of 19:59 or 20:00 is acceptable, however a timing of 20:01 is not. For competitive groups NJF adjudicators want to hear as much material as possible. Our festival performing ensembles come from far and wide. Our competitive divisions are quite strong. The adjudicators are looking for as much quality of performance as possible in your 20 minute performance slot! (1) Power Strip. A suggestion for easy hook-up would be to make sure you bring extension cords for all your electronics so that you can set up quickly and easily. Practice & expedite your set up before the festival date! (1) House Wired Microphone for Speaking or “Upfront Soloists”. You may use the house microphone for solos if you choose to do so. The sound comes from the ceiling speakers. You may bring any additional equipment, including sound systems, amplifiers, percussion, or anything else. The only limitation is the 20 minute warm-up period and 5 minute exit time following your NJF artists verbal commentary. In that 5 minute period all your equipment must be removed from the performance room. Failure to follow these timing rules may result in your ensemble being disqualified or moved to the non-compete category.
Practice & expedite your set up and tear down before the festival date!
Jazz Masters Division
REGISTER FOR 2026 FESTIVAL HERE!
Unique day of festival opportunity for High Schools that are registering both a
Large Ensemble and Jazz Combo Ensemble. Registration fee includes One HS Large
Ensemble Competitive Registration, One HS Jazz Combo Competitive Registration, our NJF “Program 2” 50 minute clinic with one of our elite NJF artists and a
Competitive Sight Reading evaluation, All 3 scores are tabulated to determine
the “Jazz Masters” Division winner. Any questions contact info@nationaljazzfestival.org
Small Ensemble Division
Each ensemble must have 9 of 13 student musicians performing.
Music selections, quantity of selections, and styles are all at the discretion of the directors, however there should be a clear jazz influence. It is not mandatory, however varied styles/selections are suggested. Our adjudicators want to see what you do well and how much you can do well! The only limitation is the 20 minutes of performance time allotted for each group.
In the event we need to expand any division into two competitive divisions ensembles may be place by school enrollment to facilitate a second judging panel. info@nationaljazzfestival.org
Schools may enter more than one ensemble in the Small & Large Division category. Each performing group will be placed in the appropriate division by school population. If a school registers more than one ensemble, those ensembles will be in the same division. All Ensembles will be received in order of registration. For schools that have more than one ensemble and wish not to compete against their own school, they can choose to perform in the non-competitive division. Any ensemble is welcome to perform in the non-compete division. Contact us with questions before registering. info@nationaljazzfestival.org
Each ensemble will have exactly 20 minutes of performance time. Each ensemble will be timed from the first note of their first performance selection until the final cut-off of their final performance selection. Ensembles may not “restart” their performance for any reason. Once the clock starts it will continue to run. The 20 minutes of performance time is finite. Any ensemble exceeding the 20-minute performance time will be automatically disqualified. A timing of 19:59 or 20:00 is acceptable, however a time of 20:01 is not. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PERFORMANCE TIME. Each room contains (1) Power Strip. A suggestion for easy hook-up would be to make sure you bring extension cords for all your electronics so that you can set up quickly and easily. Practice & expedite your set up before the festival date! (1) House Wired Microphone for Speaking or “Upfront Soloists”. You may use the house microphone for solos if you choose to do so. The sound comes from the ceiling speakers. You may bring any additional equipment, including sound systems, amplifiers, percussion, or anything else. The only limitation is the 20 minute warm-up period and 5 minute exit time following your NJF artists verbal commentary. In that 5 minute period all your equipment must be removed from the performance room. Failure to follow these timing rules may result in your ensemble being disqualified or moved to the non-compete category.
Practice & expedite your set up and tear down before the festival date!
Following the performance, your ensemble will be given a few minutes of commentary from an NJF artist. We suggest that you record the feedback for later use. After which time you will have exactly 5 minutes to remove all belongings from the performance area as the next ensemble will be entering to begin their set up – warm up session. Taking longer than 5 minutes may lead to disqualification. Remember: The NJF Non-Compete division receives the same performance opportunities as the Competitive divisions but your adjudication score is not listed on the post festival recap. It enables the director to use the adjudicated score as a method of growth for your ensemble.
Jazz Combo Division
REGISTER FOR 2026 FESTIVAL HERE!
This NJF Division is for 3-8 performing musicians. You will perform 3 selections in the style of classic Jazz trio’s- octets. One selection must be a Modal Jazz tune, 1 selection a Swing tune and the 3rd Hoarse Silvers “Song for My Father”. See link below!
Each ensemble will have exactly 20 minutes of performance time. Each ensemble will be timed from the first note of their first performance selection until the final cut-off of their final performance selection. Ensembles may not “restart” their performance for any reason. Once the clock starts it will continue to run. The 20 minutes of performance time is finite. Any ensemble exceeding the 20-minute performance time will be automatically disqualified. A timing of 19:59 or 20:00 is acceptable, however a time of 20:01 is not. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PERFORMANCE TIME. Any questions contact info@nationaljazzfestival.org We will be glad to help you with your tune selections!
Following the performance, your ensemble will be given a few minutes of commentary from an NJF artist. We suggest that you record the feedback for later use. After which time you will have exactly 5 minutes to remove all belongings from the performance area as the next ensemble will be entering to begin their set up – warm up session. Taking longer than 5 minutes may lead to disqualification. Practice & expedite your set up and tear down before the festival date! Remember: The NJF Non-Compete division receives the same performance opportunities as the Competitive divisions but your adjudication score is not listed on the post festival recap. It enables the director to use the adjudicated score as a method of growth for your ensemble.