There are four sections available (depending on location); small jazz ensemble, large jazz ensemble, vocal ensemble and community ensemble. In school ensembles, ensembles must comply with the following conditions:
1. Members of the ensemble must be enrolled as full time school students at the school or group of schools that they are representing.
2. Staff members or outside players may fill a vacancy in the band when there are insufficient students to make up a full ensemble. However, there must be no more than two outside players per band and these individuals must be identified before the adjudicated performance, should not fill a principal chair in the ensemble and must not feature as a soloist. Exception to this rule must be requested in writing.
Small Jazz Ensemble
Small jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 10 players.
Large Jazz Ensemble
Large jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 25 players.
Vocal Ensemble
Minimum 4 performers.
Community Ensemble
Community ensembles may contain a combination of student and adult players, 4 - 25 members.
1. Members of the ensemble must be enrolled as full time school students at the school or group of schools that they are representing.
2. Staff members or outside players may fill a vacancy in the band when there are insufficient students to make up a full ensemble. However, there must be no more than two outside players per band and these individuals must be identified before the adjudicated performance, should not fill a principal chair in the ensemble and must not feature as a soloist. Exception to this rule must be requested in writing.
Small Jazz Ensemble
Small jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 10 players.
Large Jazz Ensemble
Large jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 25 players.
Vocal Ensemble
Minimum 4 performers.
Community Ensemble
Community ensembles may contain a combination of student and adult players, 4 - 25 members.
Small Jazz Ensemble
15 minutes performance time
Small jazz ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
Large Jazz Ensemble
15 minutes performance time
Large jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 25 players. Large jazz ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
15 minutes performance time
Vocal ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
15 minutes performance time
Small jazz ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
- The repertoire should be chosen from standard small jazz ensemble tunes consistent with the jazz idiom (see suggested small jazz ensemble repertoire section for further details).
- Performances delivered from written arrangements for small jazz ensemble or the use of lead sheets is permitted.
- One selection must be a ballad.
- A vocalist may perform on no more than two tunes.
- A creative introduction
- The playing of the ‘head’ or melody (preferably arranged in parts)
- One or more improvised solos
- The restatement of the ‘head’ or melody
- An appropriate ‘tag’ or ending
- Hal Leonard Easy Jazz Combo Series
- Hal Leonard Jazz Combo Pack Series
- Alfred Jazz Vocal Solos with Combo Accompaniment
- Alfred Jazz Standards for Vocalist with Combo Accompaniment
- Alfred/Belwin Jazz Combo Collection
- Kendor Jazz Combo Series
Large Jazz Ensemble
15 minutes performance time
Large jazz ensembles must contain a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 25 players. Large jazz ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
- The repertoire should be chosen from published big band arrangements.
- The entire performance should be jazz styled, containing a combination of jazz swing, bebop, latin jazz and/or funky jazz.
- One selection must be a ballad.
- A vocalist may perform on no more than two tunes.
15 minutes performance time
Vocal ensembles must comply with the following performance requirements:
- Where possible, the repertoire should be chosen from published arrangements.
- One selection should demonstrate a ‘jazz style’ arrangement (preferably swing, ballad, latin jazz or funky jazz).
- Ensembles may be accompanied by piano or rhythm section.
- Other selections are at the discretion of the director and may include music theatre, sacred, comedy, pop / Glee.