INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kelsley Grant, Toronto, ON – Chairman
Dr. Shirantha Beddage, Toronto, ON – Vice Chairman
Marika Galea, Brandon, MB – Vice Chairman
Nick Gummeson, Ottawa, ON
Christine Jensen, Montreal, QC
Paul Tynan, Antigonish, NS
PERFORMANCE CODES
A – Denotes Instrumental Jazz Division
# – 101 through 701 denotes classes with age and institutional restrictions
CATEGORIES OF ENSEMBLES
Jazz Ensemble (ALL Jazz Ensembles must perform one selection composed by a Canadian)
Jazz Combo
Traditional Jazz Combo
World Music
CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION
| CLASS | DESCRIPTION | AGE LIMIT |
| A101 | College or University Ensemble | no age restrictions |
| A102 | Community Ensemble | no age or affiliation restrictions |
| A202 | Community or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 20 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A301 | High School or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 17 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A302 | Community or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 17 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A401 | High School or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 16 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A402 | Community or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 16 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A501 | High School or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 15 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A502 | Community or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 15 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A601 | High School or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 14 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| A701 | High School or Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 13 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
WORLD MUSIC
Ensembles utilizing the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic concepts from musical cultures in Latin America, West Africa, Asia and India. These include rhythmic concepts in particular from Brazil, Portugal, Cuba, Spain, and Puerto Rico. The ensembles will perform using non-Western scales, modes and/or musical inflections, and may incorporate distinctive traditional ethnic instruments, such as the kora (West African harp), the steel drum, the sitar or the didgeridoo.
| CLASS | DESCRIPTION | AGE LIMIT |
| W101 | Community/School/Multi-School Ensemble | no age restrictions |
| W201 | Community/School/Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 20 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| W301 | Community/School/Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 17 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| W501 | Community/School/Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 15 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
| W701 | Community/School/Multi-School Ensemble | max. age of 13 years as of Jan. 1st of the Festival Year |
PRESENTATION AND PERFORMANCE
(i) It is recommended that Jazz Ensembles in Classes A101 to A302 inclusive conform to “standard instrumentation” (up to twelve brass, up to six saxophones, up to six rhythm).
(ii) Deviation from the “standard instrumentation” will be judged on its musical merit. Use of woodwind doubling in the sax section is encouraged.
No fewer than nine or more than twenty-four performers in Jazz Ensemble Classes A101 to A302 inclusive are permitted on the stage during any single selection. Ensembles exempt from this rule (e.g. A401 through A701) are reminded that the stage size and configuration may not permit adequate room for further performers.
All jazz ensembles MUST present a program of NO MORE THAN three contrasting selections including a ballad. One selection must be composed by a Canadian. MusicFest Canada provides the Instrumental Jazz Syllabus as a resource to directors of published and graded Canadian jazz ensemble literature. There should be opportunities for improvisation. Jazz repertoire is compulsory; i.e. Swing, Jazz Blues, Ballads, Jazz Rock, Latin Jazz, Samba, etc. Pop material is inappropriate. The work can be published or commissioned. The ensemble must consider timing rules (see g. below) when programming repertoire.
Performance time is limited to a maximum of 30 MINUTES which will include: warm up, set up, introduction of the ensemble, performance, commentary from the Adjudicator(s), Honour presentation and exit from the stage. This time block will be strictly enforced. Any ensemble exceeding this time restriction may be suspended and their performance cut short.
In the combo classes, there may not be fewer than two or more than eight performers (including vocalists) on stage during the performance of a selection.
Traditional Jazz Combos will perform jazz in the style of the early 1900s. The suggested instrumentation is tuba/string bass, cornet/trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone and rhythm. No electronic audio support will be provided.
In the combo classes, it is highly recommended that each member improvise.
Live Festival Performance Considerations:
Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 20 MINUTES before the performance. Each ensemble must report to the warm-up check-in area 1 HOUR before performance time to allow sufficient time to put cases and equipment in the assigned storage area.
Two printed scores and/or lead sheets with numbered measures must be presented at the check-in desk before performance and picked up by the director following the performance or clinic.
The basic Jazz Ensemble set up will be ACOUSTIC. Two solo microphones will be in the trumpet section; two in the trombone section; two in the sax section; two in front of the band. The piano will have one microphone. General balance of the ensemble is to be carried out acoustically; solo microphones (including the piano microphone) will be active only for solos at the cue or request of the ensemble’s sound advisor. Musicfest staff will not electronically balance or otherwise alter the sound of the ensemble without direct instruction from the ensemble.
EVALUATION
All ensembles will be evaluated to a “National Standard of Performance” unless they have elected “Adjudication Only” prior to their performance.
Musical integrity will be the basis of evaluation. Adjudicators will include consideration of stylistic interpretation, intonation, dynamics, attacks, releases, articulations, balance, time, feel, improvisation, instrumentation and the variety, quality and appropriateness of repertoire selections.
Each ensemble will receive a 30 MINUTE clinic with a Festival Clinician focusing on observations made during the on stage performance. Adjudicators’ comments will reflect the total assessment of the performance selections. All Adjudicators’ comments will be intended as a guide for the continued development of the ensemble.
EQUIPMENT (Live Festival)
Ensembles must bring all instruments and equipment other than that specifically provided by the Festival as follows:
Warm Up Room and Clinic Room: A Yamaha acoustic or electric or electronic piano or keyboard, Yorkville guitar amplifier, Yorkville keyboard amplifier, Yorkville bass amplifier, complete Ludwig drum set with Dream cymbals, Musser vibes, chairs and RAT music stands (depending on category) and Congas (clinic room only).
Festival Performance Area: A Yamaha acoustic or electric piano, Yorkville keyboard amplifier, Yorkville guitar amplifier, Yorkville bass amplifier, complete Ludwig drum set (five piece kit with Dream ride, crash, hi-hats), Musser vibes, congas, chairs and RAT music stands (numbers and layout may be restrictive due to performance stage configuration).
No equipment may be substituted or moved. All Ensembles must use the equipment supplied. Drummers are only permitted to exchange the snare drum and bass pedal. The Dream cymbals, which are provided, may not be removed from their stands or from the drum set, but may be re-organized as required. The ensemble may add cymbals to the drum kit, provided that they are complete on their own stand. Keyboard players may add their own keyboards if necessary, but not move or remove existing keyboards.
The moving of all percussion and stage equipment must be done by MusicFest staff, who will request assistance as required.
Equipment will be set up as per the stage plot provided by the Ensemble. Any movement of any equipment on the stage is counted against the total allowed time on the stage.
Potentially hazardous materials including, but not limited to, open flames or flammables and vessels containing water will not be permitted on stage.
