The festival provides Junior High, High School and College students the opportunity to perform and receive comments / evaluation / clinics from some of the most outstanding Jazz Educators in Southern California. Each band performs three or four charts, and will then have one of the adjudicators rehearse the band and comment directly on the performance they just heard. Some of the adjudicators include recording artist / composer / arranger / educators Bill Liston and Jeff Jarvis (CSULB), recording artist Jeff Bunnell, composer / pianist Matt Harris(CSUN), Dan St. Marseille, Sid Lasaine (winner of the first Mr. Holland's Opus Award), Warren Balfour (Cuesta College), Stan Steele (Past President of SCSBOA), Jack Mason, and Gary Pratt, (bassist and Director, CSUN).
Irvine High School is known for its performing arts program. Its Vaquero Marching Band performed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The music department was named one of the top 10 high school music programs by the Grammy Foundation in 2000 and was named a Grammy Gold Signature School. Last year, Irvine High's top jazz band was one of three bands in their division over a two day period to receive a unanimous superior rating while earning 2nd Place at the Reno Jazz Festival.
Awards
First-Fourth place for each division Divisions: Junior High A / B, High School Novice A / B, Intermediate A / B, Advanced, Heavy and Combos.
Awards are also presented for Outstanding Soloist and sections for each division.
The Festival Is an IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) recognized festival.
Date: March 18, 2006
Time: 8:00am - 7:30pm
Location: Irvine High School Theater, Student Center, SLG, Drama and HLG
For more information contact All About Jazz.
