Register here for the seventh annual Jazz in the Chi Festival + Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival, happening Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Jazz in the Chi is an educational festival that welcomes high, middle and elementary school jazz ensembles. All participants perform a short set of prepared music and then receive a post-performance clinic from the panel of professional adjudicators. Written and recorded feedback from the adjudicators helps each participating ensemble continue to grow long after the festival! Master classes, workshops, performances by guest artists and a vendor fair with colleges, arts organizations and music merchants are designed to provide an immersive experience that benefits every participant!
Ensembles participating in the Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival at Jazz in the Chi...
- are adjudicated by clinicians provided by Jazz at Lincoln Center from the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival alongside professional jazz artists-educators based in or originating from the Chicago region.
- must consist of high school students.
- must be jazz big bands (approximately 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones & 3-4 rhythm section pieces).
- must be Essentially Ellington members - Click here to join EE in minutes for free!
- must perform at least one (1) musical selection from the Essentially Ellington library.
Ensembles participating in the Jazz in the Chi but not Essentially Ellington...
- are adjudicated by professional jazz artists-educators based in or originating from the Chicago region.
- may consist of high, middle or elementary school students.
- can be jazz ensembles of many configurations (small group, large ensemble, flexible instrumentation, etc.) provided there are at least three (3) musicians performing together.
- are not required to be Essentially Ellington members or perform any music from the Essentially Ellington library.
Please submit one (1) registration per school (not per ensemble). A school may register up to four (4) jazz ensembles, but only one (1) eligible ensemble per registered school may perform in the Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival. Registrations will be considered in order of receipt and accepted until available spaces and times are full -OR- until the registration deadline of January 30, 2026 - whichever occurs first.
REGISTRATION FEES
1. Primary jazz ensemble:
- $220.00 for a high school big band intending to participate in the Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival.
-OR-
- $165.00 for all others, including [1] High School Large Jazz Ensemble not intending to participate in Essentially Ellington; [2] High School Small Jazz Ensemble (with 3-7 performers); [3] High School Mid-sized Jazz Ensemble (with 8-12 performers); or [4] Elementary/Middle School Jazz Ensemble (of any size/instrumentation).
2. Second jazz ensemble (of any size/kind): +$110
3. Third jazz ensemble (of any size/kind): +$85
4. Fourth jazz ensemble (of any size/kind): +$85
Performance spaces will be equipped with a piano, guitar amp, bass amp and drum set. Performers must supply their own cymbals for the drum set. Vibraphone, congas and vocal microphones will be made available upon request. More details to be supplied in the Director's Packet.
Festival Site:
Whitney Young Magnet High School
211 S Laflin Street
Chicago, IL 60607
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 30, 2026
