High School Jazz Band
In this section
Membership Requirement
For a student to participate in KMEA honor groups the sponsoring teacher must be an active member of the Kansas Music Educators Association.

High School Jazz Band

2026-27

NCKMEA Handbook - HS Jazz Band
Clinician
TBA

Important Dates
Oct. 24 - Directors may start uploading recordings to the Festival Scores website.
Nov. 5 - Recorded auditions must be uploaded by 11:59:59 PM on this date. Late entries are not possible.
Nov. 10 - Judging completed
Nov. 13 - Roster posted by this date
Nov. 29 - All fees due (with invoice), $12 per audition, $15 per selected participant
Dec. 7 - Late fees due (with invoice), $24 per audition, $30 per selected participant
Dec. 7 - HS Jazz Band clinic & performance at Kansas Wesleyan University, schedule TBA

Audition Excerpts
Excerpts may be downloaded from the KMEA website.
KMEA Jazz Excerpts

Audition Recordings
Auditions will be submitted through Festival Scores in mp3 format. The chromatic scale (horns only) and each etude will be a separate mp3 recording submission. There will be no sight reading due to use of the Festival Scores system. There is also no use of metronome required. Follow the link to Festival Scores and set up a Director account.

Audition Event Tag
Directors will need to activate the following tag in their Festival Scores account:
TBA

Festival Scores information video
Directors should watch this short video to become familiar with the Festival Scores audition system.
Audition Recordings
Record the following mp3 files for each audition:
Horns (Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet, Trombone)
  • Chromatic: same as state
  • Jazz Etude #1 (Autumn Leaves): Quarter Note = 140
  • Jazz Etude #2 (My Funny Valentine): tempo as written
  • Jazz Etude #3 (St. Thomas): Half Note = 92
Rhythm (Piano, Guitar, Bass)
  • Jazz Etude #1 (Autumn Leaves): Quarter Note = 140
  • Jazz Etude #2 (My Funny Valentine): tempo as written
  • Jazz Etude #3 (St. Thomas): Half Note = 92
Drum Set
  • Etude 1: play at quarter note = 140
  • Etude 2: tempo as written
  • Etude 3: play at half note = 92
  • Etude 4: tempo as written

Backing Tracks
Horns - Autumn Leaves - Full Recording, Quarter Note = 140
Track

Horns - Autumn Leaves - No Improv, Quarter Note = 140
Track

Piano/Guitar - Autumn Leaves - Full Recording, Quarter Note = 140
Track

Piano/Guitar - Autumn Leaves - No Improv, Quarter Note = 140
Track

Bass - Autumn Leaves - Full Recording, Quarter Note = 140
Track

Bass - Autumn Leaves - No Improv, Quarter Note = 140
Track
 
Chairperson
Darren Brooks
Salina-South HS
730 E. Magnolia
Salina, KS 67401
w: 785-309-3700
Important Dates - HS Jazz Band
Aug 26, 2026 - Wednesday
Downbeat Session
Manhattan HS
5:00 PM - Meal
5:30 PM - Meeting
Nov 5, 2026 - Thursday
Audition Upload Deadline — HS Jazz Band
$12 per audition
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