All bands that participate in Essentially Ellington have the option of submitting an application and recording for the annual Competition & Festival or for Coments Only. Bands are encouraged to make a recording, no matter their level of experience. Every submission receives thorough professional feedback and a signed certificate from our recording adjudicators.

Competition & Festival Application Information

Bands that wish to enter the Competition & Festival must select three (3) tunes from the Essentially Ellington library to record for their Competition application, as well as complete an Application Form and submit a brief bio of their program. Make sure to read through the Competition & Festival Recording Application and Guidelines for complete instructions. Applications and recordings for the Competition & Festival are due Friday, January 27, 2012 by 4pm EST.

New Repertoire Guidelines!

We are pleased to announce two major changes in our annual Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival repertoire requirements:

• Bands are only required to play one (1) tune from the 2011-12 repertoire (Bands may choose to perform more than one.)
• All titles in the library—including those by Benny Carter, Mary Lou Williams, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie—are now eligible for Competition submissions

As always, bands are required to play at least one (1) tune by Duke Ellington.

For a complete list of titles and recordings, click here.

Entry Categories

Bands that wish to submit a recording for the Competition & Festival compete in the following categories:

• Category A: all school ensembles who were not finalists in the 2010 or 2011 festivals (10 finalists will be selected)
• Category B: all school ensembles who were finalists in the 2010 or 2011 festivals (5 finalists will be selected)
• Category C: community ensembles, made up of students who attend more than one school (one winning community ensemble will be invited to perform in exhibition at the festival)

Applications and recordings for the Competition & Festival are due Friday, January 27, 2012 by 4pm EST.

Download the 2012 Competition & Festival Application Form here

2012 Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival Recording and Application Guidelines

Essentially Ellington Adjudication Rubric

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Comments Only Submission Information

Bands that do not wish to enter the Competition & Festival are encouraged to submit a recording for Comments Only. Bands have the option of recording one, two or three tunes from the Essentially Ellington library. Make sure to read the Comments Only Submission Guidelines for complete instructions.

Recordings for Comments Only are due Friday, March 2, 2012.

Download the 2012 Comments Only Submission Form here

2012 Essentially Ellington Comments Only Submission Guidelines