★ Each ensemble must have a minimum of 14 student musicians performing.

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★ 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.

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★ 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.

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★ 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 into subdivisions 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. 

★ Registration for the competitive Large Ensemble Division is available on a first-come, first-served basis. While this is HIGHLY UNLIKELY, NJF reserves the right to register an ensemble as non-competitive if the division reaches its maximum adjudication capacity.

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★ 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.

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★ 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.

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★ 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!

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★ 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.

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★ Practice & expedite your set up and tear down before the festival date!

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★ 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.