Constitution, Bylaws, Policies and Procedures

of the
Jazz Section
of the North Carolina Music Educators Association
Updated April 2014

Constitution
ARTICLE I - NAME AND RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1. Name: The name of the organization shall be the Jazz Section of the North Carolina Music Educators
Association
Section 2. Relationships: This organization shall be the official Jazz section of the North Carolina Music Educators
Association, a department of the North Carolina Association of Educators affiliated with the National Association for Music
Education.
ARTICLE II - MISSION AND FUNCTION
Section 1 Mission: The mission of the Jazz Section is to work within the framework of the North Carolina Music
Educators Association and its affiliates to advance the cause of jazz music education. The Jazz Section shall cooperate
with other sections of the North Carolina Music Educators Association in planning and carrying out such activities.
Section 2. Function: To encourage, actively promote and provide educational opportunities that will further the study and
performance of jazz music in the public and private schools of North Carolina.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Active membership shall be granted to any individual engaged in music education who is a member of the
North Carolina Music Educators Association in the public and private schools of North Carolina.
Section 2. All other membership shall conform to Article III of the Constitution of the North Carolina Music Educators
Association.
Section 3. The right to vote or hold office is reserved to active members.
ARTICLE IV DUES
Section 1. Active membership in the North Carolina Music Educators Association shall be the only dues requirement for
membership in the Jazz Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association.
ARTICLE V - GOVERNMENT
Section 1. The elected officers of the Jazz Section shall be the Jazz Section Chairperson, the Chairperson-elect,
Immediate Past Chairperson, the Region Chairpersons and four Members at Large.
Section 2. The Jazz Section Board of Directors shall consist of the Jazz Section Chairperson, the Immediate Past Jazz
Section Chairperson, the Jazz Section Chairperson-elect, Region Chairpersons, representatives from each of the North
Carolina Bandmasters Association districts (Western, Northwest, South Central, Central, Southeastern and Eastern) and
four Members-At-Large.
Section 3. The Jazz Section Executive Committee shall consist of the Jazz Section Chairperson, the Immediate Past
Jazz Section Chairperson, the Jazz Section Chairperson-elect and the four Members-At-Large.
Section 4. Vacancies in any elective office shall be filled upon the recommendation of the Jazz Section Chairperson or
acting Chairperson, by and at the discretion of the Jazz Section Board, until an election for the unexpired term is held at
the next general meeting.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee
A. A nominating committee, which shall be chaired by the Immediate Past Jazz Section Chairperson, and the four atlarge members of the board of directors shall prepare a nominee for each office which shall be presented to the
membership for action.
B. Additional nominations may be made by any active member at the time nominations are presented to the
membership.
Section 2. Jazz Section Chairperson - The Jazz Section Chairperson-elect shall be elected in even-numbered years at
the general meeting held during the All State Jazz Band Clinic. Upon completion of a two year term, the Chairperson-elect
shall automatically accede to the office of Jazz Section Chairperson.

Section 3. Region Chairpersons - The Region Chairpersons shall be elected by each regions membership on oddnumbered years at their annual meeting. The term of service for the region chairperson will be two years. Region
chairpersons may be elected to consecutive terms not to exceed two terms.
Section 4. Members at Large - The four Jazz Section Members-at-Large shall be elected by the jazz section
membership at the general meeting held during the All State Jazz Band Clinic. Two of the four Members-At-Large shall be
elected by the sections general membership in even numbered years and two on odd numbered years. Members at
Large may be elected to consecutive terms not to exceed two terms.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1. General Meetings - The two general meetings of the Jazz Section of NCMEA will be held during the annual
NCMEA Professional Development Conference and the All-State Jazz Band Clinic.
Section 2. Region Meetings - Each jazz region will hold an annual business meeting as part of their All-Region Jazz
Band Clinic. An additional region meeting may be called during the NCMEA annual Professional Development
Conference.
Section 3. Jazz Section Board of Directors Meetings - A meeting of the Jazz Section Board of Directors will be held
when deemed necessary by the Jazz Section Chairperson.
Executive Committee Meetings - Meetings of the Jazz Section Executive Committee will be held when deemed
necessary by the Jazz Section Chairperson.
ARTICLE VIII RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order (revised) shall govern all business meetings of the Jazz Section in all cases to which
they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution and by-laws of this section or of the North
Carolina Music Educators Association.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND OPERATING PROCEDURES
Section 1. The constitution may be amended with the approval of two-thirds of the membership present at a general
meeting of the State Jazz Section or by a simple majority of the electronic/land mail vote as prescribed in Article VI of the
NCMEA Bylaws.
Section 2. Operating Procedures may be amended, added or deleted by a simple majority of the members present at any
general meeting of the State Jazz Section.
Section 3. Proposed amendments to the constitution must be submitted in writing to the Jazz Section Board of Directors
at least thirty days prior to any general meeting. The State Jazz Board of Directors will consider all amendments. If the
State Jazz Board of Directors approves the proposed amendment, the amendment will be presented to the membership
at least thirty days prior to the next general meeting and will be submitted for a vote of the general membership at the
following general meeting.

Bylaws and Operating Procedures

ARTICLE I - RULES OF ORDER
Roberts Rules of Order (revised) shall govern all business meetings of the Association in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution and by-laws of this Association or of the North
Carolina Music Educators Association.

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND TERMS OF SERVICE

Section 1 - The officers of the Jazz Section shall include:
Jazz Section Chairperson
Jazz Section Chairperson-elect
Immediate Past Jazz Section Chairperson
Four Members-at-Large
Region Chairpersons
North Carolina Bandmasters Association District Representatives
These officers shall be collectively known as the North Carolina State Jazz Section Board of Directors.
Section 2 Terms of Service
A. Section Chairperson The term of office for the Jazz Section Chairperson shall be two years. This office
shall be assumed by the Jazz Section Chairperson-Elect upon the vacancy of the position. Section
Chairpersons shall not be permitted to be elected to consecutive terms of service.
B. Section Chairperson-Elect The term of office for the North Carolina State Jazz Section ChairpersonElect (Recording Secretary) shall be two years with the term to begin upon the conclusion of the Jazz

Section All-State Band Clinic in the year of their election.

C. Immediate Past Chairperson The term of office for the Jazz Section Immediate Past Chairperson shall
be two years and will begin upon their completion of their two years of service as the Jazz Section
Chairperson.
D. Members-at-Large The term of office for the North Carolina State Jazz Section Members-at-Large shall
be two years with the term to begin upon the conclusion of the Jazz Section All-State Band Clinic at which
they were elected. Members-at-Large may be elected to no more than two consecutive terms of service.
E. Region Chairpersons The term of office for the North Carolina State Jazz Section Region Chairpersons
shall be two years. Region Chairpersons shall be limited to no more than two consecutive terms.
F. North Carolina Bandmasters Association District Representatives The terms of office for the District
Representatives shall be two years. District representatives shall be appointed by each North Carolina
Bandmaster Association district chairperson. District representatives may be appointed to unlimited
consecutive terms of service.
ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Jazz Section Chairperson
The Jazz Section Chairperson shall serve as chairperson of the Jazz Section of the North Carolina Music
Educators Association as provided in the constitution of that organization. The Jazz Section Chairperson shall
A. Preside at all Executive Committee meetings, Jazz Section Board of Directors meetings and general
meetings of the Jazz Section.
B. Enforce due observance of the constitution and Operating Procedures.
C. Call meetings of the Executive Committee as deemed necessary for the successful running of the Jazz
Section.
D. Call, if necessary, additional Jazz Section Board of Directors meetings or Jazz Section general meetings.
E. Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of NCMEA.
F. Appoint committees deemed necessary and that are not otherwise provided for in the constitution.
G. Coordinate the yearly calendar of events.
H. Organize and oversee all Jazz Section events hosted at the annual NCMEA Professional Development
Conference.
I. Will submit articles/updates to be included in the North Carolina Music Educators Journal.
Section 2. The Jazz Section Chairperson-elect
The Jazz Section Chair-elect shall
A. Perform all the duties of the Jazz Section Chairperson in the event of the absence of the Jazz Section
Chairperson.
B. Act as recording secretary at all Jazz Section Executive Committee meetings, State Jazz Section Board
of Directors meetings and Jazz Section general meetings.
C. Furnish to the webmaster of the Jazz Section website a copy of the minutes of all Jazz Section meetings,
said minutes to be in hands of the webmaster no later than seven days after the meeting.
D. Assist the Jazz Section Chairperson in the organization and oversight of all Jazz Section events hosted at
the annual NCMEA In-Service Conference.
Section 3. The Immediate Past Jazz Section Chairperson
The immediate Past Jazz Section Chairperson shall
A. Serve as consultant to the Jazz Section Chairperson and shall perform such other duties as are assigned
by the Jazz Section Chairperson and the Jazz Section Board of Directors.
B. Attend all Jazz Section executive committee, board of directors and general meetings.
C. Serve as chairperson of the nominating committee per Article VI, Section 1.
D. Assist the Jazz Section Chairperson with the organization and oversight of all Jazz Section events hosted
at the annual NCMEA Professional Development Conference.
E. Chair the directors reading band at the all-state jazz band clinic.
Section 4. Members At Large
The duties of the persons serving in the Members At Large positions shall include
A. Middle School Even Member At Large is elected on an even numbered year will be the chairperson of
the Middle School All-State Jazz Band Auditions.
B. High School Even Member At Large is elected on an even numbered year will be the chairperson of the
High School All-State Jazz Band Clinic.
C. Middle School Odd Member At Large is elected on an odd numbered year will be the chairperson of the
Middle School All-State Jazz Band Clinic.
D. High School Odd Member At Large is elected on an odd numbered year will be the chairperson of the
High School All-State Jazz Band Auditions.
E. Members At Large shall attend all Jazz Section Executive Committee meetings, State Jazz Section Board
of Directors meetings and Jazz Section general meetings.

Section 5. Region Chairpersons

The Jazz Region Chairpersons shall...
A. Preside over all region executive committee and general meetings.
B. Coordinate the regions yearly calendar of events.
C. Oversee all events sponsored by the individual jazz region.
D. Ensure that all financial reports for region student events are completed and submitted to the executive
director of NCMEA in a timely manner.
E. Attend all Jazz Section executive committee, board of directors and general meetings.
F. Appoint region members to the positions of :
Region Secretary
Region Treasurer
Region Auditions Chairperson
Region Clinic Chairperson
Region Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) Chairperson
Region Auditions Site Host
Region Clinic Site Host
Region Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) Site Host
Section 6. North Carolina Bandmasters Association District Representatives
The District Representatives are to serve as liaisons between the Jazz Section and their respective individual
North Carolina Bandmasters Association district memberships.
A. Assist the Jazz Section Chairperson, the Region Chairperson and the Members At Large with the state
and region student events.
B. Assist the region chairpersons in coordinating the calendar for region jazz events with the calendars of
the band district.
C. Communicate region jazz events with their respective band districts.
D. Attend all board and general meeting of their respective band districts.
E. Attend all region executive committee and general meetings.
F. Attend all board of directors and general meetings of the Jazz Section.

ARTICLE IV - STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Jazz Section Auditions Committee.
Section 2. The Jazz Section Auditions Committee shall consist of the Jazz Section Immediate Past Chairman, Middle
School Even Member at Large, High School Odd Member at Large and the appointed auditions chairmen from each
jazz region.
ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Jazz Section Auditions Committee is charged with assisting in the planning and implementation of
auditions for membership in the region and all-state jazz band. Members shall submit all ideas and suggestions pertaining
to the auditions to this committee for consideration. If deemed necessary, the committee will present these ideas and
suggestions to the general membership for final approval or rejection.
Section 2. The Jazz Section Auditions Committee shall create and administer the procedures related to jazz audition
standards and adjudication. This committee should meet in conjunction with the NCMEA Professional Development
Conference and at the all-state jazz band clinic.
ARTICLE V JAZZ SECTION REGION LINES
Section 1. Bands and their members are to participate within the jazz section events of their assigned region.
Section 2. Requests for district reassignments must be submitted to the Jazz Section Board of Directors in writing.
A. Procedure for Reassignment Requests:
Submit the following to the Jazz Section Chairperson:
1. A written request that states the reason(s) for the region reassignment
2. A letter/email from the current region chair that grants permission to leave the region.
3. A letter/email from the region chair that grants permission to join the requested region.
B. Guidelines for Reassignment Requests:
1. A reassignment request must have permission from both Region Chairs to be considered.
2. A reassignment request will not be considered if the request would result in middle school/high school feeder
schools participating in different regions.
Region Membership by counties includes all school systems in those counties unless stated otherwise.

NC Jazz RegionWest: The NCJR-W will consist of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery,
Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham,
Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan,
Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.
NC Jazz RegionCentral: The NCJR-C will consist of the following counties: Alamance, Anson, Caswell, Chatham,
Cumberland, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Johnson, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person,
Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Scotland, Vance, Wake and Warren.
NC Jazz RegionEast: The NCJR-E will consist of the following counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick,
Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford,
Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Paspauotank, Pender, Persquiamans,
Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrell, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.
ARTICLE VI JAZZ ENSEMBLE MUSIC PERFORMANCE ADJUDICATION (MPA)
Section 1. Purpose
A. To assess student comprehension and performance ability as it relates to jazz through the evaluation of
scholastic ensemble performance.
B. To provide students and teachers a means of receiving constructive criticism regarding jazz pedagogy through
written and recorded commentary from qualified and respected jazz educators.
Section 2. Eligibility
A. All ensemble directors must be current members of the North Carolina Music Educators Association.
B. Ensemble members must be regularly enrolled in a music class according to the school administrative unit
(individual school).
C. The Ensemble director that appears on the class roster at a school as the teacher must be a member of NCMEA
and register all students to participate in all NCMEA sanctioned events.
D. Student teachers that are current members of CMENC may conduct one piece during a performance at Jazz
Ensemble MPA.
E. In the rare event that a director cannot conduct an ensemble (due to illness, family emergency, death in the
family, etc.) approval must be obtained from both the Region Jazz Chairperson and the Jazz Section Chairperson
before a substitute conductor (e.g. a student teacher) may conduct the group.
Section 3. Administrative Structure
A. Each region will have a Jazz Ensemble MPA Chairperson appointed by the region chairperson.
B. The Jazz Ensemble MPA in each region must be held before May 15 each year. In the event of extreme weather
conditions which require a cancellation of MPA, the MPA region chair may apply to the Jazz Section Chairperson
for an extension of this date.
C. The region Jazz Ensemble MPA Chairperson will contact the Executive Director of NCMEA to obtain Jazz
Ensemble MPA financial and administrative materials and submit the required student event report to the NCMEA
Executive Director by the required deadline.
Section 4. Regulations
A. Ensembles may enter for comments only.
B. Where a school has more than one big band, duplication of personnel will be permitted so long as the literature
and instrument are not the same. Students are permitted to play the same instrument in both a big band and a
combo.
C. No ensemble may enter more than one region Jazz Ensemble MPA.
D. Ensembles are required to refrain from preparing any composition for Jazz Ensemble MPA more than once within
a four-year period.
E. Any school district finding it necessary to combine students to create an ensemble for Jazz Ensemble MPA must
receive permission from the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Jazz Section.
Section 5. Registration
A. All Jazz Ensembles will register in their designated regions.
B. Exception to Rule 5-A: Ensembles may register for MPA out of region with written permission from both the MPA
chairman of their assigned region and the MPA chairman of the region for which they wish to participate. If
problems occur, the director should contact the Jazz Section chairperson, who shall intervene and make a final
decision.
C. Registration blanks must be completed and mailed with fees enclosed, to the Region Jazz Ensemble MPA

chairperson. The envelope must have a postmark showing that the materials were mailed on or before the stated
deadline of thirty days (30) days prior to the first day of Jazz Ensemble MPA.
D. Jazz ensemble directors will be prompted to present their valid NAfME membership card upon arrival at the MPA
event.
Section 6. Fees
A. All Jazz Ensemble MPA registration fees will be $150.00 per ensemble.
B. Fees will not be refunded.
Section 7. Performance
A. Each ensemble will be required to perform three selections and is encouraged to prepare three selections of
contrasting styles (i.e. Swing, Ballad, Rock/Latin /Funk).
B. All ensembles are required to furnish three conductors scores of each composition being performed at the Jazz
Ensemble MPA. Scores will be presented to the Jazz Ensemble MPA chairperson upon arrival at the MPA
location. Photocopied conductors scores may only be used for the MPA adjudicators with permission from the
music publisher or music retailer from whom the scores have been purchased. Proof of permission to photocopy
must be submitted to the MPA chairperson at the time of performance.
C. Timing: Ensembles will receive thirty minutes of stage time which includes staging and performance. Ensembles
may be required to perform at an adjusted time but the entire warm-up time of thirty minutes must be given to
each band.
D. Each ensemble director must submit to the Jazz Ensemble MPA chairperson a playlist history listing the MPA
selections that will be performed the current year and the repertoire that has been performed during the previous
three years and an ensemble instrumentation chart.
Section 8. Disqualification
A. Violation of any of the above rules constitutes an automatic disqualification.
Section 9. Judging
A. There will be three adjudicators for each regions Jazz Ensemble MPA. The judges will be chosen and contracted
by the region Jazz Ensemble MPA chairperson. It is recommended that these adjudicators supply experience
from various levels of jazz education (i.e. Middle School, High School & Collegiate).

RATING CHART FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE MPA GRADES

The following chart will be used as a guide in arriving at a final rating when using four judges (Three judges from the
concert portion and one judge from the sight reading portion). All possible combinations are included. The Roman
numerals at the top refer to the final ratings; the numbers below refer to ratings given by each judge.
RATING I
111
112

RATING II
113
114
115
122
123
133
222
223

RATING III
134
135
144
145
233
234
235
244
333
334

RATING IV
155
245
255
344
345
355
444
445

RATING V
455
555

Although for purposes of reckoning the I, II, III, IV, V system is a convenience, please be sure that the numbers are not
inscribed on the certificates of award or given to the media. According to our rules, the correct designations are given in
the right-hand column below:
I
II
III
IV
V

Superior
Excellent
Average
Below Average
Poor

ARTICLE VII ALL-STATE JAZZ BAND

Section 1. Administrative Structure
A. The North Carolina All-State Honors Band shall use a two tier structure. Bands will be classified as: Middle School
(grades eight and under) and High School (grades nine through twelve).
B. No active North Carolina Band Director shall conduct an All-State Jazz Band.
Section 2. Eligibility
A. The band director of each student auditioning for either the Middle School or High School All-State Jazz Band
must be a current member in good standing of both the North Carolina Music Educators and their own region.
B. To audition and participate in the All-State Jazz Band, the band member must be regularly enrolled in a
scheduled music class which receives one unit of credit.
C. The band member must have participated in their respective region band clinic as a member of either the High
School A Band, High School B band or Middle School A band and performed on one of the following
instruments: Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Piano, Bass
or Drum Set. In the event a region band clinic is canceled, the students who would have been eligible, had the
clinic been held, will be allowed to audition.
D. Any student that can not document a family of personal emergency preventing their attendance at All-State Jazz
Band Clinic, if selected, and fails to participate in that clinic will be banned from auditioning for All-State Jazz
Band for one year.
E. The band director that appears on the class roster at a school as the teacher must be a member of NCMEA and
register all students to participate in all-state jazz band sanctioned events.
F. Students may audition for membership in the All-State Jazz Band only on the instrument they were selected for
and played at the region level.
G. Students must be present at the auditions on the day of the auditions in order to participate.
Section 3. Registration for Auditions
A. Each region Clinic Chairperson shall notify the All-State Jazz Band Auditions Chairpersons of the names and
school of those students of that region who may audition for All-State Jazz Band at the conclusion of their region
clinic. Each Jazz Band Audition chairperson should receive a database if membership from each region so that if
they need to contact someone they have the information.
B. Each Band Director of an eligible student must complete the online auditions registration by the stated deadline in
order for the student to audition.
C. The band director shall be responsible for the proper registration and payment of fees to the Auditions
Chairperson for his/her student(s) to audition for All-State Jazz Band. Only cash, school or band booster checks
will be accepted (personal checks will not be accepted). Directors of participating students will be expected to
judge.
D. Auditions for the All-State Jazz Band will be the first or second Saturday of March determined by need and
calendar issues. The make-up date will be the Saturday after the scheduled audition date.
E. The band director whose name appears on the class list as the teacher must be in attendance or their students
will not be allowed to participate.
1. Directors who make a request to not be present must make their request to the Jazz Section Chairman in
written form. Included in the request will be the reason for the request, student(s) name, parents name, and
parents contact information including email address and contact information of their principal.
2. The principal of the director who is requesting to be absent from auditions will be telephoned and ask to
confirm the directors request. The principal will be reminded by the Jazz Section Chairman that current
procedures stipulate the band director whose name appears on the class list as the teacher must be in
attendance or their students will not be allowed to participate. The principal will then be asked to provide a
written statement in which he/she asks for an exception to this procedure for the director to be absent. The
written statement of the principal is also asked to include (a) the name and school of the band director who
will judge and (b) acknowledgement that the parents of the student must individually transport eligible
students to and from the auditions.
3. The director making the request must find another North Carolina jazz educator who is a member in good
standing of NCMEA (this person may not be a student teacher) to take their position judging and that director
agree via either an email or a written letter to the state Jazz Section Chairperson. This director will also
provide what is their primary instrument and a copy of their NAfME card. This director may not have any of
his or her own students auditioning.
4. The parents of each student auditioning must bring their child to the audition site and register their child on
the day of auditions. (NCMEA assumes no liability for a child traveling with another person.) The parent must
bring the following items with their child to the registration desk: (a) a copy of the request for the director to
be absent, (b) a copy of the principal's written statement, (c) a copy of the jazz educators NAfME card.
F. In the event that a child is unable to participate in the All-State Jazz Band Auditions, directors should notify the
appropriate auditions chairperson.

Section 4. Audition Procedures

A. Audition Requirements for Middle School Students
1. Wind & Bass Players
a) Scales - Students will be asked to perform from memory the Concert Bflat Major Scale to the 9th,
the Concert Bflat Blues Scale to the 9th, the ii-V7-I progression in Concert Bflat in a swung
pattern. They must perform the chromatic scale in a straight pattern. (All scales should be
performed as written and in the order written on the Middle School Scale Sheet located on the
Jazz Section Website).
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment that omits the solo track.
c) Improvisation Students will perform an improvised solo over two chorus of a Concert Bflat
Blues.
d) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
2. Piano & Guitar Players
a) Scales - Students will be asked to perform from memory the Concert Bflat Major Scale to the 9th,
the Concert Bflat Blues Scale to the 9th, the ii-V7-I progression in Concert Bflat in a swung
pattern. They must perform the chromatic scale in a straight pattern. (All scales should be
performed as written and in the order written on the Middle School Scale Sheet located on the
Jazz Section Website).
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment. They must perform the melody (written solo) for the first chorus and then comp
(play an accompaniment pattern) for the remaining choruses.
c) Improvisation Students will perform an improvised solo over two chorus of a Concert Bflat
Blues.
d) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
3. Drum Set Players
a) Grooves & Improvisation - Students will be asked to perform the following styles; a medium swing
and a funk/rock. The required format for performance will consist of the student playing 4 bars of
the groove immediately followed by 8 bars of improvisation immediately followed by 4 bars of
groove.
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment that omits the drum set track.
c) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
B. Audition Requirements for High School Students
1. Wind & Bass Players
a) Scales - Students will be asked to perform from memory the Concert F Blues Scale to the 9th, the
Concert Bflat Blues Scale to the 9th, the ii-V7-I progression in Concert C and the ii-V7-I
progression in Concert Bflat in a swung pattern. They must perform the chromatic scale in a
straight pattern. (All scales should be performed as written and in the order written on the High
School Scale Sheet located on the Jazz Section Website).
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment that omits the solo track.
c) Improvisation Students will perform an improvised solo over two chorus of either a Concert Bflat
Blues or Concert F Blues.
d) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
e) Optional Consideration Requirements for Lead Trumpet or Bass Trombone Students will be
asked to perform an additional prepared solo excerpt with a CD accompaniment that omits the
solo track. This additional audition element is designed to showcase the demand for these
instruments.
2. Piano & Guitar Players
a) Scales - Students will be asked to perform from memory the Concert F Blues Scale to the 9th, the
Concert Bflat Blues Scale to the 9th, the ii-V7-I progression in Concert C and the ii-V7-I
progression in Concert Bflat in a swung pattern. They must perform the chromatic scale in a
straight pattern. (All scales should be performed as written and in the order written on the High
School Scale Sheet located on the Jazz Section Website).
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment. They must perform the melody (written solo) for the first chorus and then comp

C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

(play an accompaniment pattern) for the remaining choruses.

c) Improvisation Students will perform an improvised solo over two chorus of either a Concert Bflat
Blues or Concert F Blues.
d) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
3. Drum Set Players
a) Grooves & Improvisation - Students will be asked to perform the following styles; a medium
swing, bossa and a funk/rock. The required format for performance will consist of the student
playing 4 bars of the groove immediately followed by 8 bars of improvisation immediately followed
by 4 bars of groove.
b) Solo Students will perform the appropriate solo for the current audition year with a CD
accompaniment that omits the drum set track.
c) Sight-Reading Students will perform one sight-reading excerpt in one of the following styles;
swing, rock, Latin or funk.
All Audition Requirements including play-a-long solo book item numbers, yearly solo rotations and scale sheets
will be taken from the Audition Requirements document posted on the Jazz Section Website.
A random formula will be used to place the order in which student auditions.
Ties will be broken in the following order: Solo, Improvisation, Sight-Reading and then Scales. In case of ties for
the last chair we will take both or all.
At the region level students may audition on more than one instrument.
Jazz regions may decide to strengthen or weaken the audition requirements for their own region as their
membership deems necessary.
North Carolina All-State Jazz Band Instrumentation for All Bands
Middle, High School Bands
2 Alto Saxophones

5 Trumpets

5 Trombones

1 Guitar

2Tenor Saxophones

1 Piano

1 Baritone Saxophone

1 Bass
1 Drum Set

Section 5. Registration for All-State Jazz Band Clinic

A. At the conclusion of the Auditions, the All-State Jazz Band Audition Chairperson for each level will notify each
jazz educator of his/her student(s) who were selected for All-State Jazz Band by posting the results on the Jazz
Section website. The director will be responsible for the proper registration of her/her student(s) participating in
the clinic. A copy of the All-State Jazz Band Auditions Registration file will also be sent to the appropriate All-State
Jazz Band Clinic Chairperson.
B. Each participating organization will be responsible for its own housing and meal arrangements.
C. Clinic registration at the time of the All-State Jazz Band Clinic must be done in person by the band director. If the
band director is unable to be present, the director must notify the All-State Jazz Band Clinic Chairperson in
advance and in writing giving the reasons for his/her absence and the name of the jazz educator who is to
personally register his/her student(s) and will be responsible for the student(s) during the clinic. Each school
principal will verify this appointment with the clinic chairperson in writing before the clinic registration date.
Section 6. Fees
A. The audition fee for All-State Jazz Band will be $15.00 per student if registered on or before the registration
deadline and $30.00 per student if registered after the deadline. Only cash, school or band booster checks will be
accepted.
B. The All-State Jazz Band clinic fee will be $45.00 per student. Only cash, school or band booster checks will be
accepted.
Section 7. Regulations
A. Students who cannot attend the All-State Jazz Band Clinic shall not audition.
B. Students shall attend all of the All-State Jazz Band rehearsals during the Clinic. Any student who misses any
portion of any rehearsal will not perform with the All-State Jazz Band.
C. It is the duty of the jazz educator to insure that students meet all stipulations and requirements for All-State Jazz
Band. Failure to comply with any stipulation or requirement or the failure to meet given deadlines may result in the
ineligibility of a student to either audition for or attend the All-State Jazz Band Clinic.
D. All-State Jazz Band Auditions will be held in conjunction with and run simultaneously with the NCBA All-State
Honors Band Auditions.

E. The All-State Jazz Band Clinic will be held the second weekend in April. This date may be changed if a conflict
with the Easter Holiday arises.
F. A list of behavior guidelines for clinic rehearsals will be given to all eligible students. Students and their parents
must both sign this form to participate. The form will state that any conduct violation will result in the student being
sent home.
Section 8. Guidelines for Auditions Adjudicators
A. Be sure to greet the students and smile. Help make the students feel comfortable and not feel intimidated. There
should not be any discussion with the student other than their first name and audition number.
B. Care should be given as to the number of students called at one time, so that the amount of time in the hall is
minimal.
C. Write the audition number and first name of the student on the students score sheet and judges tally sheet. Make
sure you verify this information with the student.
D. Judges need to maintain a professional attitude and are expected to judge each student fairly.
E. When judging a performance, refer to the adjudication rubric located on the student score sheet. This will help you
to be consistent and to consider all aspects of a performance. This should help prevent a personal bias towards
the performance. For example: you should not deduct points from a solo score for an interpretation of the music
that is within the parameters what is indicated on the page. You may have a well-formed and valid opinion as to
how the piece should be executed, however points should not be deducted for an interpretive performance that is
equally valid, but not the same as yours. Wind players should play the solo as close to the recording as possible,
demonstrating that they can follow a lead player.
F. If you are using the adjudication rubric, you will be judging the performance solely on the basis of how the
performance sounds. Although choice of fingerings/slide positions, quality of instrument, embouchure formation,
etc. can affect sound, you are judging the sound.
G. Be sure you and your partner judge communicate during your judging by making sure the point spread is
consistent. Talk to each other after each student, especially at the beginning.
H. When judging a large number of individuals, refer to your individual judges tally sheet, in order to monitor for
consistency in scoring.
I. The procedure for sight-reading is as follows: 1) Obtain and use an electronic timer to monitor that you are giving
each person 60 seconds of time to preview the sight-reading selection; 2) Say to the auditionee Please find the
sight-reading; 3) Let the auditionee find it; 4) Say to the auditionee You have 60 seconds to look at it before we
ask you to begin playing; 5) When the allotted time is used, say to the auditionee Please play the sight-reading.
J. When judging scales the Judge should say Play the scales in the order posted on your music stand.
K. Judges should not be judging their students. If by chance you are scheduled to judge your student please let the
Audition Chairperson know ahead of time.
L. Middle School students may find their first pitch. Do not indicate whether or not it is the correct pitch.
M. Each Judge should initial any changes on the judges sheets and make sure that the judges tally sheet reflects
the correction.
N. Adjudicators will evaluate the students performance only on the required material. Playing extra octaves will not
be credited or penalized.
O. High School Trumpet and Trombone judges must confer with the Auditions Chairperson regarding the placement
of any student that performed the additional Lead Trumpet or Bass Trombone Solo.

Jazz Section Financial Guidelines

All-Region Band Auditions:
Fees: On-time registration fees are $15.00 per student. Late registration is $30.00 per student.
In order to host one band on the high school level, there must be at least 35 students registered to audition or a
minimum of $525.00 in fees. This includes students who register but choose not to audition.
In order to host two bands on the high school level, there must be a total of 70 students registered or a minimum
of $1,050.00 in fees. This includes students who register but choose not to audition.
In order to host one band on the middle school level, there must be at least 35 students registered to audition or a
minimum of $525.00 in fees. This includes students who register but choose not to audition.
In order to host two bands on the middle school level, there must be a total of 70 students registered or a
minimum of $1,050.00 in fees. This includes students who register but choose not to audition.
There is flexibility. For example, if you have 60 high school students registered and 30 middle school students
registered, the high school registrations can only support one band and the middle school registrations do not
support a band. However, you can borrow money from the high school registrations (the equivalent to 5 student
registrations) to allow the middle school registrations to qualify. This would allow one high school band and one
middle school band to chosen for the clinic, if instrumentation permits.

All-Region Jazz Band Clinics

Clinic registration is $45.00 per student.
Clinic chairs are encouraged to solicit donations, such as from a local music company.
Clinic chairs are encouraged to find clinicians who are sponsored by a manufacturer (Jupiter, Selmer, etc.) and
whose fees may be paid in part by his/her sponsor.
If need be to remain in the black, Clinic chairs may negotiate with clinicians to accept reduced payment.
If need be to remain in the black, Clinic chairs may choose local directors to be clinicians for bands, especially
the middle school band.
Music may need to be borrowed from local schools or universities libraries or the clinician may be asked to bring
music from his/her library.
Jazz Music Performance Adjudication (MPA)
A one day jazz festival must have at least 12 bands/combos in order to be held. A two day jazz festival must
have at least 18 bands/combos in order to be held.
Registration fee is $150.00 for any size group (big band or combo).
MPA Chairpersons are encouraged to solicit donations, such as from a local music company.
A region jazz MPA must not lose money. If it appears in advance that moneys collected will not pay the bills for
the festival, then the festival will be canceled.
To keep a festival from being canceled, the registered bands may elect to cover the balance (deficit) equally.
If a festival is canceled, groups can transfer and play at festival in another region. The monies submitted must be
transferred also.
If need be to remain in the black, festival chairs may negotiate with clinicians to accept reduced payment.