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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
Q I understand this is a paperless festival with everything coming via email or through the festival website. I don't have email or the Internet at home or school. How can my band participate?
A One possible solution is to designate a student who has email and Internet access to be the director's representative. It is important to keep an eye on the web page and check for festival emails at least once a week in the early stages, and daily in the last few weeks. A student will feel empowered and important to keep you informed.
If you do have Internet access and email you need to be sure to check the "DIRECTOR'S PAGE" on a regular basis once you are registered to perform. On this page you can verify that you have paid the necessary fees, submitted the required documents, and ensure you have ordered the correct number of concert tickets and lunches. Paper mailings are costly and time consuming. We strive to use the technology available for best communication. Emailed questions generally receive answers much faster than leaving a voicemail.
Q I want to bring my band for the daytime clinics and evening concert, but do not want to perform. Is there a way to do this?
A Yes. You may purchase a block of reserved seats for the evening concert for $20 each. You may attend the daytime events for free... just let me know you are coming for the day.
Q When does the evening concert end?
A While they sometimes exceed it, we have in our contract with the guest artists that they should play absolutely no longer than 10:00 p.m. This should help you determine a return time to announce to the parents.
Q Where do we eat lunch and dinner?
A Lunch will be available for your students at the school. There will be a menu posted on the website in the near future and you can place orders in advance for your students. Selections will probably include sub sandwiches, chips, pizza, candy, dessert items and soft drinks. There will be a FREE lunch catered by McAlister's Deli available for the directors. If you are planning to have your students eat at school, please be sure to order in advance so we can ensure we have sufficient food and drink available.
Dinner is available in the area. We will provide a list and map of places to eat. Some require a reservation for large groups; others are typical fast food places. Your dinner break starts at 5:00 p.m., and you must be in your reserved seats for the evening concert by 7:20 p.m. Therefore, dinner is not a relaxing experience.
Q Our group just isn't that great and I don't want them to be embarrassed. Is this a competition?
A This is the perfect festival for you. We do everything possible to take away the negative experiences that competitive festivals create. There are no scores or comparisons between bands. Since there are no losers, everyone is a winner. Our goal is to provide the best possible first jazz festival experience for younger, less experienced bands AND DIRECTORS. This is not a festival for bands that compete regularly.
The festival awards are for individuals, not bands. The clinicians can each recognize any number of truly outstanding musicians that they hear during the day with an IAJE Certificate of Achievement In addition, the top two soloists of the day will each receive a festival poster autographed by the featured professional artist and a $150.00 IAJE Scholarship which can be used for a summer camp or private lesions.
Q How are clinicians selected?
A We avoid hiring clinicians who are not successful jazz teachers. To just be a great jazz player does not guarantee that the clinician can get in front of less experienced groups and say things that are positive and helpful.
Q What is the best way to prepare my band for this festival and get the best experience?
A Just a few suggestions...
- Plan to stay for the evening concert. This is the only festival that, year after year, students will hear everything from junior high players, to high school, to college, and finally to professionals. Ensembles that stay to hear the professional ensemble get the most out of the day.
- Tell your students to expect to be exhausted by the end of the day and pace themselves.
- Tell your students to not just watch a band play... but follow that band to the clinic room to see what the clinician will say to make their future performances better.
- Tell your students to not park themselves in the concession room all day. Sure they will need time to get away from all the music, but they also need to take this opportunity to hear how others their age play.
- Remind them that during the evening concert they are part of a very large audience. Most everyone in the center section of the auditorium are adults who paid more for their seats than did the participating bands.
- Printout and distribute in advance the bios of the clinicians who will be working with your band. It will help your students better understand their backgrounds and experiences.
- Carefully read the festival details so you don't forget to do something, or plan a program that is too long.
SEND MORE QUESTIONS AND WE WILL ANSWER THEM FOR ALL TO SEE.
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