Louisiana Association for Jazz Education
                                     LAJE Jazz Festival
                Hosted by Northwestern State University
                                March 13th & 14th, 2009
                                  
Ensemble Divisions: Jazz Bands and Jazz Combos
                                  Middle School, High School, & Collegiate Divisions:  

                                  Divisions will be the same as LMEA classifications.

Sight-reading:  Will not be required.          

Awards:  Standard festival ratings with awards for Superior Ratings

State Championship: A State Championship Trophy will be maintained at Northwestern State University with each year's Champion school name engraved on the trophy. Individual school trophies will also be awarded for the following winners:
                                                State Grand Champion
                                                1st Runner-Up State Champion
                                                2nd Runner-Up State Champion.

*  For Championship awards, the Jazz Band Division must have at least 3 bands to award State Champion.  (Middle School, High School, Collegiate) 1st Runner Up will require 4 bands and 2nd Runner up will require 5 bands in a division.

** Combos will follow the same guidelines for number of entries for State Champion awards within the Combo division.

***Each ensemble will be limited to performing 3 tunes on stage.  The requirements will be as follows:
                                                        1 Swing
                                                        1 Ballad
                                                        1 Latin/Rock/Funk

Entry Fees:   $250 for all ensembles.

Applications: Download at:    
http://www.nsula.edu/demonband/jazzfestival/application.htm

Or

Contact:   LAJE President Elect     Lee Hicks                  985-892-7112
                NSU Host                    Galindo Rodriguez      318-357-5799
                LAJE State Treasurer    Bill Causey                 318-868-0522        

1. Deadline date - February 27!  The Festival dates are March 13th & 14th, 2009.

2. Please register on the main floor of the Performance Hall before your performance.  

3. Each big band will be allowed 30 minutes on stage, including on and off time.  Each combo will also be allowed 30 minutes.  Organizations will be penalized on rating for overtime.  This is imperative to insure a smooth and “on time” running festival.

4. A grand piano, bass amplifier, guitar amplifier, and drum set will be provided in the warm-up and sight-reading rooms.  Bring your own cymbals and hardware. in the Performance Hall, only a grand piano will be provided.  Please bring your own cymbals, DRUM SET, amplifiers and additional keyboards necessary for your performance.  Please assign someone to watch your personal equipment at all times.  Loyola cannot provide this service, and WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR
LOST OR STOLEN EQUIPMENT.

5. Concert style stands, risers and a P.A. system will be supplied by the NSU Band Department.  Use of fronts will be allowed.  Please have someone to help the NSU crew set up your band.

6. The judges will make taped and written comments.

7. There will be no sight-reading component this year.

8. Outstanding Musician Awards will be given to exceptional student soloists. Please accurately fill out the personnel sheets, which will be sent with the final mailing, to aid the judges in the selection of these awards.  
              .  
9. AWARDS:  Trophies will be awarded for Superior (all I’s) in performance.  Grand Champion, 1st Runner-up, & 2nd Runner-up Trophies will also be awarded.  See requirements above under State Champion.

10. Checks should be payable to NSU Jazz Orchestra Foundation.

11. Allow ample time to find parking spaces for other vehicles on the street.

12. Parking for cars will be allowed in the parking lots located all around the NSU Music Complex.

13. The NSU Concert Band Room is available for band warm- ups 30 minutes before your performance time.  This will be strictly adhered to.

14. There is to be no Eating or Drinking in the Concert Hall, Band Room, or Recording Studio.  Smoking is only allowed outside the building.  This is a University rule and cannot be violated.

15. This festival will require that three of the following styles be included in your performance format, with SWING being of utmost importance:
      A.   LATIN
      B.   ROCK        
      C.   BALLAD                
      D.   SWING        
This is compulsory -- your rating will be lowered if you do not comply.

16. The judges need at least one (1) score for each big band selection.

17. It required of all Directors to join the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education.  Contact Galindo Rodriguez for information on obtaining the form.