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.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE 2023 NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL A SUCCESS
65 Schools, 90 Ensembles from 19 States & Puerto Rico …..
Abraham Clark High School, NJ ~
Albemarle High School, VA ~
Atlee High School, VA ~
Bethel High School, CT ~
Boston Latin School, MA ~
Brookfield High School, CT ~
Camden Creative Arts High School, NJ ~
Carusi Middle School, NJ ~
Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, NY ~
Centennial High School, MD ~
Cranbury Middle School, NJ ~
Creative Arts High School, NJ ~
Danvers High School, MA ~
Deptford HS, NJ ~
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, FL ~
Eastlake High School, WA ~
Edgemont High School, NY ~
Ellington High School, CT ~
Escuela Especializada Pablo Casals, PR ~
Freedom Crossing Academy K-8, FL ~
George Stevens Academy, ME ~
Georgetown Day School, DC ~
Harvard-Westlake School, CA ~
Herricks High School, NY ~
Hopewell High School, NC ~
Hopewell Valley Central High School, NJ ~
Hopkins School, CT ~
Klein Forest High School, TX ~
LA County High School for the Arts, CA ~
La Salle College High School, PA ~
La Salle Institute, NY ~
Lovejoy HS, TX ~
M.S. 54 – Booker T. Washington, NY ~
Metuchen High School, NJ ~
Middleton High School, WI ~
Mirman School, CA ~
Mundy’s Mill High School, GA ~
Naugatuck High School, CT ~
Newtown Middle School, CT ~
Noblesville High School, IN ~
Our Lady of Good Counsel, MD ~
PA Leadership Charter School, PA ~
Pace High School, FL ~
Pattonville High School, MO ~
Pennsbury High School, PA ~
Princeton High School, NJ ~
R.F. Bumpus Middle School, AL ~
Ridley High School, PA ~
Seneca High School, NJ ~
Shawnee High School, NJ ~
Shead High School, ME ~
St. John’s School, TX ~
Staples High School, CT ~
Steinert High School, NJ ~
Stratford High School, CT ~
Suffield High School, CT ~
The Fieldston School, NY ~
The Shipley School, PA ~
Timothy Edwards Middle School, CT ~
Trevor Day School, NY ~
Trinity School, NY ~
West Milford HS, CT
Wharton High School, FL ~
William H. Hall High School, CT ~
Wilton High School, CT ~
Xavier High School, CT ~
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
FREE* EDUCATIONAL CLINICS AT THE
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER
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
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
- Virtual 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
Watch all performances from the 2021 & 2022 festivals on our YouTube channel
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.
- 10/7/22 NewsletterFind out more about the 2023 National Jazz Festival. Register for in-person or the virtual option, nominate a student for the LOVE Award and a band director for the Jazz Educator Award, learn about the new Instrumental Soloist Category andContinue reading “10/7/22 Newsletter”
- 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!
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National Jazz Festival
Celebrating jazz education throughout our entire nation and beyond!