30th Annual Jazz Festival

Friday, May 4

8 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Finals Competition

7:30 p.m.

Bellevue Jazz 1 Performance

Awards Ceremony

High School Competition

Saturday, May 5

8 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Guest Performance

12:00PM Saturday

The Music Works Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Harshman.

Finals Competition

7:00 p.m.

Awards Ceremony

Each band will have a 20 minute warm-up. Performances will be 20 minutes long, followed by a 20-minute clinic. Clinics will provide each band an opportunity to work with one of the festival adjudicators. Following the clinic, bands will be guided to an area for pictures.

DIVISIONS

There are 3 divisions: Middle School, Junior High and High School. All high school big bands must compete within the following divisions: A/AA, AAA, AAAA. You may, if you choose, enter a classification higher than your enrollment. Second bands should enter one classification lower, but must remain in the High School classification. A Junior High entering a second band may enter the Middle School division as long as there are no ninth graders in the band. Depending on the number of registrations, divisions may be combined or eliminated.

We are using the WIAA classifications.  Based on grades 10-12 enrollment:

2A – 1085 or fewer students
3A – 1086 to 1303 students
4A – 1304 or more students

AWARDS

First, second and third place will be awarded to the division winners along with awards for outstanding soloists. The finals for the top three bands in each division will be held on the evening of the same day as the preliminary competition. Each band will play 1 song in the finals, not to exceed 7 minutes. A revolving “Sweepstakes” trophy will be awarded to the outstanding band at the festival, as selected by the adjudicators.

SCHEDULING

Scheduling is based on the datestamp of when you completed the form and receipt of entry fees. An early application/payment will ensure your space. If you have a scheduling request, we will do our best to accommodate you, but cannot guarantee it.

ADJUDICATION

Adjudicators are selected from universities, colleges, and high schools in the Northwest and Western United States. They are Vern Sielert, Vanessa Sielert, Bruce Gutgesell, and Reuel Lubag.

TICKET PRICES

Admission to the daytime Preliminary Competition is free to all. Admission to the Finals competitions is $7 Friday night and $10 Saturday night. Due to limited seating, all seats are charged at the full rate, regardless of age. Finalist participants and three chaperones per band are admitted free to the finals.

EQUIPMENT

The festival provides the following equipment: risers, PA system with microphones, grand piano, bass amp, and guitar amp. A drum set and cymbals will be furnished. You may use your own cymbals, but you must use the drums and hardware provided. Vibes and congas are available upon request.

EQUIPMENT STORAGE

There will be sufficient storage for all instruments. The Bellevue High school Jazz Festival will not be responsible for loss or damage to any instruments and/or equipment. We suggest you clearly label your instruments with your name and your school name, plus address and phone number to prevent mix-ups and to help return lost items.

SET-UP

The standard Big Band stage will be set-up. Chairs and stands will be provided for a maximum of 32 band members. 

The entry fee (by check) is $210 per band. Checks should be mailed to: 

Edd George, Director of Bands 
Bellevue High School
10416 SE Wolverine Way 
Bellevue, WA 98004-6698

Middle Schools and Jr Highs Schools performing on May 4th please make checks out to "BHS ASB" in the amount of $210 per band.

High Schools performing on May 5th please make checks out to "BHS Band Boosters" in the amount of $210 per band.

Your application will be processed once we have received both your Registration Form and your entry fee. No Purchase Orders will be accepted.

REGISTRATION

Registration to Bellevue Jazz 2012 are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register using the On-Line Registration Form and then mail in your check.

IF YOU YOU ARE BRINGING MORE THAN ONE BAND, PLEASE FILL OUT A SEPARATE REGISTRATION FORM FOR EACH BAND.

Click here to access the On-Line Registration Form.

PRELIMINARY COMPETITION

All band members must represent one school. No “All-Star” bands.

All members must be actively enrolled in the school at the time of the festival.

Performances are limited to 20 minutes on and off stage, including set-up time. Please time your performance set accordingly.

FINALS COMPETITION

Middle schools competing in the finals are not required to perform new charts.

Junior high and high school bands are strongly encouraged to perform different charts from those performed during the preliminary competition.

The three bands from each division must perform in the finals competition in order to be eligible for a trophy.

If a band cannot participate in the finals, the band in fourth-place standing may be invited to compete in the finals competition.

Time Limit: Out of consideration for all involved, please limit your finals set to only 1 tune (roughly 7 minutes).

For schools entering more than 1 band at the Bellevue Jazz Festival:  Each student may only perform (and compete) as a member of one of the bands if that band wishes to be eligible for Finals and awards.  If you are missing students normally in your ensemble, up to 2 students may substitute and play for multiple groups from a single school.  If more than 2 students play in multiple bands from the same school, the ensemble in the larger division (or the more advanced group on Friday) will be eligible for Finals and the other band will not.