Divisions

To view all of the information pertaining to the event including the competition guidelines, please download the below pdf.


Band participants and winners

 


VICTORIAN ALL STATE JAZZ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022

Saturday 14 May – Competition / Festival Day

Saturday 21 May – Gala Concert Night (featuring all winning ensembles + special guests)


VENUE

St Leonard’s College
Leonardian Centre
163 South Road
Brighton East


ELIGIBILITY

All performing competitors must be currently enrolled in the primary or secondary school that they are representing. Combined school groups may be permitted should they be a regularly rehearsing and performing ensemble. Adults or teachers are not permitted to perform with any band or sing in any choir (adults may provide piano or rhythm section accompaniment in the vocal sections). While a student may perform in both the bands section and the choir section, each student is able to perform in only band division and/or only one choir division (unless they are playing a different instrument) and/or only one vocal ensemble (unless they are performing in both a small and large ensemble).


FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Saturday 14 May – Competition / Festival Day

Saturday 21 May – Gala Concert Night (featuring all winning ensembles + special guests)

Performances will include:

  • Very special guest artists TBA

  • Winning choirs from every division

  • Winning bands from every division

  • Ross Irwin

  • All Star Band including the festival adjudicators


BIG BAND DIVISIONS

Premier Division Big Bands

Requirements All bands must present 3 numbers: A swing piece, an own choice and a ballad.

This division is for the most highly developed jazz band programs. As a guide, bands in premier division would regularly perform charts from Grade 5 standard up to professional standard. Maximum 19 performers plus director. Bands must have standard big band instrumentation – maximum 5 saxes, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar and Vibes/Aux percussion (subtle variations to instrumentation will be excepted). Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 22 minutes. In addition to the performance time, a maximum of 7 minutes has been allowed for bands to enter, set up and then exit the stage.

Premier Division Big Band Awards

  • 1st Place and State Champion (Certificate and ASJ School Workshop)

  • 2nd Place (Certificate)

  • 3rd Place (Certificate)

  • Best rhythm section (Certificate)

  • Best sax section (Certificate)

  • Best trumpet section (Certificate)

  • Best trombone section (Certificate)

  • Outstanding improviser Award (cap)

  • All Star Band selected from Premier Division band members (cap)


“A” Division Big Bands

Requirements All bands must present 3 numbers: A swing piece, an own choice and a ballad.

Bands in this division will be competently performing charts from Grade 4 to Grade 5 standard. Maximum 19 performers plus director. Bands should have standard big band instrumentation – maximum 5 saxes, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar and Vibes/Aux percussion (subtle variations to instrumentation will be excepted). Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 18 minutes. In addition to the performance time, a maximum of 6 minutes has been allowed for bands to enter, set up and then exit the stage.

“A” Division Big Band Awards

  • 1st Place (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Best rhythm section (Certificate)
  • Best sax section (Certificate)
  • Best trumpet section (Certificate)
  • Best trombone section (Certificate)
  • Outstanding improviser Award (cap)
  • All Star Band selected from A Division band members (cap)

“B” Division Big Bands

Requirements All bands must present 3 numbers: A swing piece, an own choice and a ballad.

Bands in Division B should be able to effectively perform repertoire from Grade 2.5 to Grade 4 standard. Maximum 20 performers plus director. Bands should have standard big band instrumentation – maximum 5 saxes, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar and Vibes/Aux percussion (subtle variations to instrumentation will be excepted). Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 15 minutes. In addition to the performance time, a maximum of 4 minutes has been allowed for bands to enter, set up and then exit the stage.

“B” Division Awards

  • 1st Place (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Best rhythm section (Certificate)
  • Best sax section (Certificate)
  • Best trumpet section (Certificate)
  • Best trombone section (Certificate)
  • Outstanding improviser Award (cap)
  • All Star Band selected from B Division band members (cap)

“C” Division Big Bands

Requirements All bands must present 3 numbers: A swing piece, an own choice and a ballad.

Division C is suitable for developing bands performing repertoire up to Grade 2.5 standard. Maximum 24 performers plus director. Bands may have either standard or, should it best suit the school’s program, non-standard big band instrumentation (such as flutes, clarinets, French horns etc). Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 15 minutes. In addition to the performance time, a maximum of 4 minutes has been allowed for bands to enter, set up and then exit the stage.

“C” Division Big Band Awards

  • 1st Place (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Best rhythm section (Certificate)
  • Best sax section (Certificate)
  • Best trumpet section (Certificate)
  • Best trombone section (Certificate)
  • Outstanding improviser Award (cap)
  • All Star Band selected from C Division band members (cap)

*Announcements of all A, B and C Division Band awards will be made in the Agora space shortly after the sections have concluded.

Non-Competitive Band Division

The non-competitive bands section is suitable for any band who would like their program critically assessed but not be ranked competitively. This could include young or new bands, smaller jazz ensembles, or experienced ensembles just wishing to present their own program in a non-competitive environment. Maximum 25 performers plus director. Bands may have either standard or, should it best suit the school’s program, non-standard jazz band instrumentation (such as flutes, clarinets, French horns etc). Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 15 minutes. In addition to the performance time, a maximum of 4 minutes has been allowed for bands to enter, set up and then exit the stage.

Bands will receive a 5 minute on stage tutorial after their performance.


JAZZ VOCAL ENSEMBLE DIVISIONS

Premier Division Jazz Choir

This section is suitable for schools who have a well-established Jazz Vocal program that performs difficult to advanced standard music. Choirs must have 7 or more members. Each ensemble will perform 2 contrasting works in the jazz style. Works may be a cappella, accompanied by a backing track, accompanied by a rhythm section or accompanied by piano. Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 9 minutes.

Awards for Premier Division Jazz Choir

  • 1st Place and State champion (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Outstanding Soloist Award (cap)
  • Stagecraft award*

*The stagecraft award recognises effective use of the performance space. Groups are encouraged to consider elements such as: physical formation, appropriate movement, how to move from one song to the next, effective communication with the audience, effective use of microphones. Groups should ensure that any movement enhances the music rather than detracting from it (sometimes less is more!).

Premier Division Jazz Vocal Small Ensemble

This section is suitable for schools who have a well-established Jazz Vocal program that performs difficult to advanced standard music. Ensembles must have between 4 and 7 members. Each ensemble will perform 2 contrasting works in the jazz style. Works may be a cappella, accompanied by a backing track, accompanied by a rhythm section or accompanied by piano. Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 9 minutes.

Awards for Premier Division Jazz Vocal Ensemble

  • 1st Place & State champion (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Outstanding Soloist Award (cap)
  • Stagecraft award*

*The stagecraft award recognises effective use of the performance space. Groups are encouraged to consider elements such as: physical formation, appropriate movement, how to move from one song to the next, effective communication with the audience, effective use of microphones. Groups should ensure that any movement enhances the music rather than detracting from it (sometimes less is more!).

“A” Division Jazz Choir

This section is suitable for schools who have developing programs with choirs who can effectively perform intermediate standard repertoire. Choirs must have 7 or more members. Each ensemble will perform 2 contrasting works in the jazz style. Works may be a cappella, accompanied by a backing track or have piano only accompaniment. Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 8 minutes.

Awards for “A” Division Jazz Choir

  • 1st Place & State champion (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Outstanding Soloist Award (cap)
  • Stagecraft award*

*The stagecraft award recognises effective use of the performance space. Groups are encouraged to consider elements such as: physical formation, appropriate movement, how to move from one song to the next, effective communication with the audience, effective use of microphones. Groups should ensure that any movement enhances the music rather than detracting from it (sometimes less is more!).

“B” Division Jazz Choir

This section is suitable for less experienced Jazz Choirs. Choirs must have 7 or more members. Each ensemble will perform 2 contrasting works in the jazz style. Works may be a cappella, accompanied by a backing track or have piano only accompaniment. Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 8 minutes.

Awards for “B” Division Jazz Choir

  • 1st Place and State Champion (Certificate, Gala Concert performance invitation and ASJ School Workshop)
  • 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 3rd Place (Certificate)
  • Outstanding Soloist Award (cap)
  • Stagecraft award*

*The stagecraft award recognises effective use of the performance space. Groups are encouraged to consider elements such as: physical formation, appropriate movement, how to move from one song to the next, effective communication with the audience, effective use of microphones. Groups should ensure that any movement enhances the music rather than detracting from it (sometimes less is more!).

Non-Competitive Division – Jazz Vocal Small Ensemble

The non-competitive small jazz vocal ensemble section is suitable for any jazz vocal ensemble who would like their program critically assessed but not be ranked competitively. This is for ensembles of 4 – 7 students who would like to present their own program in a non-competitive environment. Ensembles will perform 2 contrasting items of their own choice. Items may be a cappella, accompanied by backing track or have piano (only) accompaniment. Maximum performance time from the first note to the final note (i.e. including breaks between songs) must not exceed 8 minutes.

Ensembles will receive a 5 minute on stage tutorial after their performance.


ON STAGE EQUIPMENT

Band Stages

  • The festival will supply the following on each band stage:
  • Drumkit (including cymbals)
  • Bass amplifier
  • Guitar amplifier
  • Piano OR Electric Piano & amplifier
  • 15 chairs
  • 20 music stands
  • 2 solo microphones on a boom stand

Choir Stages

The festival will supply the following on each choir stage:

  • Piano 
  • 7 Solo microphones
  • 2 condenser microphones (for overall choir sound)
  • Appropriate foldback for the playing of backing tracks
  • 2 music stands
  • Drum kit, bass amplifier and guitar amplifier (Premier Division only)

For Premier division stages only Bass amp, guitar amp and drum kit.