Invited Jazz Ensembles

Below are the requirements and application for our annual clinic/convention MS/HS jazz ensemble concerts. Applications and recordings must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (CDT), June 1.

Selected ensembles are included on the Convention Concert Ensembles page.

Eligibility

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.

Entry Requirements

1. Applications and recordings for high school and middle school must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (CDT), June 1.
   Note: Uploading recordings will take time. Start the application process before 9 pm (CDT), June 1.
2. The online application form must be printed and include the signature of the director with the permission of the school principal.
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.

Recording Requirements

• All recordings must have been made during the same academic school year as the June 1 deadline.
• 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.
• Titles, composers, arrangers, length of tracks and dates of the performances will be submitted online.
• Up to 5 recorded tracks will be uploaded to TMEA through the online application process.
• 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)

• The recordings must be of registered students only. No guest artists can appear on the submitted recording.
• There can be no speaking of any kind on the recording.
• Recordings will not be returned.

Selection

• The Texas Jazz Educators Association will select a committee of five of its members from all around the state to listen to the recordings.
• No directors who are applying for performance will be allowed to serve on the selection committee.
• This is a blind audition process. Only the Selection Committee Chairperson will know which schools have applied.
• All applicants and invited jazz ensembles will be notified July 21, 2022 with a posting in the TMEA exhibit booth in conjunction with the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention.

Application

1. Online application process opens May 1.
2. The online application for must be PRINTED and include the signature of the director.
3. Print and sign the application then digitally upload the form to TMEA on the website application.
4. Deadline to complete the application process including the signed application and audio uploads is 11:59 pm (CDT), June 1, 2020.