Ensembles participating in the CQ Schools' Jazz Festival will receive a gold, silver or bronze award for their performance, based on the following criteria:

Sound Quality
Excellence in aspects of blend, balance, tone and articulation
Technical Elements
Excellence in aspects of technical accuracy, rhythm and articulation
Musical Interpretation
Excellence in aspects of style, phrase and dynamics
Programming and Presentation
Excellence in aspects of selection of repertoire and overall presentation

Sound Quality
High standard of achievement in most aspects of blend, balance, tone and articulation
Technical Elements
High standard of achievement in most aspects of technical accuracy, rhythm and articulation
Musical Interpretation
High standard of achievement in most aspects of style, phrase and dynamics
Programming and Presentation
High standard of achievement in most aspects of selection of repertoire and overall presentation

Sound Quality
Competent or approaching a competent standard in most aspects of blend, balance, tone and articulation
Technical Elements
Competent or approaching a competent standard in most aspects of technical accuracy, rhythm and articulation
Musical Interpretation
Competent or approaching a competent standard in most aspects of style, phrase and dynamics
Programming and Presentation
Competent or approaching a competent standard in aspects of selection of repertoire and overall presentation

Awards may be presented to the following (at the adjudicators discretion):
•    Outstanding Saxophone Section
•    Outstanding Trumpet Section
•    Outstanding Trombone Section
•    Outstanding Rhythm Section
•    Outstanding Saxophone Soloist
•    Outstanding Trumpet Soloist
•    Outstanding Trombone Soloist
•    Outstanding Rhythm Section Player
​•    Outstanding Vocalist
•    Most Outstanding Soloist
•    Most Outstanding Ensemble