Dear Directors, 

 

We’re excited to announce the fifth annual UMEA State Junior High/Middle School Jazz Festival. This festival gives schools an opportunity to perform for and receive outstanding clinics from area renowned directors/clinicians (see below). 

 

The festival will be hosted by Vista Heights Middle School (484 Pony Express Pkwy, Saratoga Springs, UT 84045) on February 19, 2021. Bands who apply will have the opportunity to perform and then receive an off-stage clinic with an outstanding area clinician. The goal of this festival is to give directors and students new knowledge and insights to help sustain and lift their programs to an even higher level of excellence. 

 

This year, due to Covid and to make things more equitable for all schools, the festival will be open to the first 15 jazz bands/ensembles who apply. Because of this, there is no application fee. The online application will open on Friday January 8, 2021 at 6:30 AM and can be found on the UMEA website. Bands who don’t make the first 15 will be put on a waiting list. Bands who are accepted will have one week to pay their $210 registration fee. Bands who fail to pay their registration fees on time may forfeit their spot to any bands on the waiting list. All selected bands will need to prepare a 20 minute or less program of appropriate grade level literature for your band. We recommend that you select easier literature this year due to reduced rehearsal time. Bands should do their best to program a swing chart and two other contrasting pieces of their choice (ie. ballad, rock or Latin). After bands perform, they will attend a workshop with one of our guest clinicians. All 15 bands will receive a plaque recognizing their significant achievement for their participation in the state jazz festival in these difficult and unpredictable times. Schools are welcome to have more than one band apply, but they will only be allowed to have more than one performing group if the 15 slots are not filled.

 

Because of Covid, at this time we are not requiring or expecting your group to listen to any other performances. We will let you know more as we get closer to the festival date. Also, substitutions in your group may be allowed if you have students who are sick or being quarantined. 

 

We have some amazing jazz programs in the state and hope that you will consider applying to be a part of our fifth annual State Junior High/Middle School Jazz Festival.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Richard Bateman 

UMEA Junior High Jazz Festival Chairman

 

Dave Faires 

UMEA Junior High Jazz Festival Coordinator