SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival

High school and middle school jazz ensembles are cordially invited to participate in the Fourth Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival! The festival will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, on the campus of South Dakota State University. The festival will take place at our Performing Arts Center. We invite some of the best performers and educators from around the country to adjudicate and play at our festival. This year's lineup includes: trombonist Paul McKee, saxophonist Steve Owen, drummer Jim White, as well as some talented local artists.

Each participating group will have 45 minutes for set-up, performance, and clinics. Your group's clinic will take place on stage immediately following your performance (no tapes necessary!), and of course, will be carried out in a positive, non-threatening manner. As part of your entry fee your group will receive a high-quality CD recording of your performance.  In addition, participation plaques will be awarded to each group. Two outstanding bands (one from each performance site) will be selected by the clinicians to perform on the evening concert. Outstanding Soloist and Section awards will also be presented.

The evening concert will feature the SDSU Jazz Ensemble I with the above mentioned artists. All participating bands will receive complimentary tickets to the evening concert as part of the group fee. We look forward to receiving your application. Currently only 16 groups can be accommodated, so please get your application in as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please email your inquiries to Nathan.Jorgensen@sdstate.edu
or call (605) 688-5187 for more information.