2023 Jazz Festival Information

2023 Springfield Music Club Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, November 11, at

First Baptist Church Springfield
7300 Gary Street
Springfield, Virginia
POC: Lisa Thomas

Purpose:

The purpose of the Springfield Music Club Jazz festival is to promote the study and performance of the American Jazz Form and its offshoot genres in a non-competitive setting. Vocal, piano, guitar, and instrumental performers of all ages are highly encouraged to participate. Teachers entering students must be active members of the Springfield Music Club.

The genres that students may perform at the festival are as follows: spirituals, blues, ragtime, gospel, jazz, boogie- woogie, marches, big band, and rock ‘n roll. Latin dance music that has its roots traced to the American Jazz Form (samba, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Bossa Nova) is also permitted.

Students attending the in-person event will have the opportunity to play with percussionist and NSO drummer, Professor Joe Connell, after their adjudication session.

Event Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023

Postmark Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Chairperson: Lisa Thomas

Event Location: First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary Street, Springfield, VA
(No virtual option)

Registration Fee: $20 for instrumental solos, $10 for piano duets

Categories: Instrumental/Vocal Solos and Duets

Levels (by academic grade): 1 (K-3), 2 (4-6), 3 (7-9), 4 (10-12), 5 (Older Beginner), 6 (Adult)

Judging Blocks: 1 (830-1030), 2 (1030-1230), 3 (130-330), 4 (330-530)

Teachers entering 1 – 4 students are required to judge a minimum of 2 hours, Teachers entering 5 – 8 students are required to judge a minimum of 4 hours. Teachers entering 9 or more students are required to judge for the duration of the event. Work preference requests for AM and PM will be honored, but requests made for specific blocks cannot be accommodated. If unable to work your full commitment, you are responsible to provide coverage for your required number of hours.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • Solo entrants perform two pieces by memory.
  • Pieces must be copyrighted originals, transcriptions, or arrangements.
  • Each piece must have a minimum of 16 measures - improvisations may be used for intro or coda. Write into the music how many measures of intro or coda will be played.

Awards:

  • All participants receive written comments, a certificate, and a jazz-themed wristband.
  • Participants receiving a Superior Plus from both judges will receive a medal.
  • If the opportunity arises for there to be an Honors Recital, students receiving medals will be invited to perform.