Invited Jazz Ensembles

Application opens March 1.

Below are the requirements and application for an invited high school and middle school jazz ensemble to perform during the annual clinic/convention. Applications and recordings must be submitted online May 15.

Selected ensembles are included on the Convention Performing Groups page.

1. The directors must be active members of both TMEA and TJEA.
2. The director cannot be on the board of TMEA or TJEA.
3. Invited jazz ensembles will not be eligible to apply for three years after their performance at the TMEA convention.

1. Applications and recordings for high school and middle school must be submitted online by Midnight, May 15. Uploading recordings will take time. Start the application process before 9 pm, May 15th.
2. The printed application must include the signature of the director as well as the principal of the school stating that if selected, the ensemble will participate.
3. The selected high school ensemble will agree to be a demonstration group (if needed) for a jazz clinic at the TMEA convention along with their performance.

1. All recordings must be from live concerts and at least 15 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes of music and should contain examples of different jazz styles.
2. Titles, composers, arrangers, length of tracks and dates of the performances will be submitted online.
3. Up to 5 recorded tracks will be uploaded to TMEA through the online application process.
4. Acceptable recording formats for upload:

   – m4a (AAC-LC); Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant

   – mp3; Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant

   – WAV (Uncompressed); Sample rate: 44,100 Hz; Stereo; 16-Bit (required)

5. The recordings must be of registered students only. No guest artists can appear on the submitted recording.
6. There can be no speaking of any kind on the recording.
7. All recordings must be made in the same school year as the May 15th deadline.
8. Recordings will not be returned.

1. The Texas Jazz Educators Association will select a committee of five of its members from all around the state to listen to the recordings.
2. No directors who are applying for performance will be allowed to serve on the selection committee.
3. This is a blind audition process. Only the Selection Committee Chairperson will know which schools have applied.
4. All applicants and invited jazz programs will be notified by June 15th.

1. Online application process for high school opens March 1.
2. The online application form must be printed and include the signatures of the director and the principal of the school.
3. The printed application form may be submitted digitally – fcoachman@tmea.org
   or by mail – TMEA, Invited Jazz Application, PO Box 140465, Austin, TX 78714 (Postmarked by May 15.)
4. Deadline: Midnight, May 15

For more information contact: TJEA Executive Director – alex_parker@baylor.edu