An annual jazz festival inspiring high school and middle school musicians to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.
All inclusive. No audition necessary. Competitive and Non-Competitive Categories.
An annual jazz festival inspiring high school and middle school musicians to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration
All inclusive. No audition necessary. Competitive and Non-Competitive Categories.
2023 CATEGORIES
LARGE ENSEMBLES
High School
- Minimum of 11 student musicians
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
SMALL ENSEMBLES
High School
- Maximum of 10 student musicians
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
Vocal Groups
Large Ensembles
High School
- Minimum of 13 student vocalists
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
Vocal Groups
Small Ensembles
High School
- Maximum of 12 student vocalists, minimum of 4
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
Vocal Jazz
A-Capella
High School
- Minimum of 4 student vocalists
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
Pop-Capella
High School
- Minimum of 4 student vocalists
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In-person or Virtual
Jazz Vocal Soloist
- Submit vocal video recordings consisting of 2 vocal selections of varying styles. Each selection should not exceed 5 minutes in length.
- Top 10 vocalists chosen by the committee will be invited to attend the National Jazz Festival and compete in a live performance setting
- In person only
Composers
- Students will submit their scores in a PDF format and midi or audio recordings
MIDDLE SCHOOL LARGE ENSEMBLE
Middle School
- Minimum of 12 student musicians
- 20 minutes of performance time
- Competitive
- Non-Competitive
- In person or Virtual
2022 FESTIVAL PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Watch all performances from the 2022 festival on our YouTube channel
Thank you to our sponsors of the 2022 National Jazz Festival.
UArts, SmartMusic, Finale, SamAsh,
Gerhards Guitarworks and Jacobs Music.
Become a Benefactor
The NJF is grounded in a philosophy of personal growth and education and our annual high school jazz competition fosters friendly competition, musical education and the development of lasting connections between young jazz musicians. High school jazz bands and middle school jazz bands from across the nation are inspired to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.
Consider making a donation to support our mission to provide a festival with an educational philosophy that is free for all to attend.
The National Jazz Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ID 83-3751080
Contact us to learn more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities available.
- Live Jazz is Back!Live Jazz is back in 2023. Philadelphia, PA will once again host the National Jazz Festival on April 22, 2023 after two years of virtual competition. Registration will be open shortly. We hope to see you there!
- 2021 National Jazz FestivalRegistration deadlines have come and gone and we are pleased to announce that we have 68 ensembles, 19 vocalists and 20 instrumentalists from 49 schools across the nation participating in the 2021 National Jazz Festival. Their video recording will beContinue reading “2021 National Jazz Festival”
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National Jazz Festival
Celebrating jazz education throughout our entire nation and beyond!