NCDA Vocal Jazz Festivals

Dates for the 2012 NCDA Jazz Festivals are below. YES I SAID FESTIVALS! We are adding the western site in North Platte hoping to serve more directors in that part of the state.

Jennifer Barnes is this year's clinician. Jennifer Barnes has developed
a reputation as an exceptional musician through her work as a live and studio vocalist, arranger and educator. Referring to her debut CD recording, “You Taught My Heart”, legendary jazz bassist Rufus Reid says, “Jennifer integrates rich vocal quality, clarity of pitch and emotion with an additional pivotal skill that sets her apart from other great singers; she sings improvisations that are melodically and rhythmically interesting from the point of view of a jazz instrumentalist.” Jennifer has gained notoriety not only for her performing abilities, but also for her commitment to jazz education. She was an active long-time member and advocate of IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators), now is a member of JEN (Jazz Education Network), and has taught the vocalists at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps since 1998. In addition, she taught privately and directed downBeat [magazine] award-winning Vocal Jazz Ensembles for over ten years, including Western Michigan University, University of Miami (FL), Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and the University of Southern California.

Please write these dates down because we hope you will be able to attend. Remember, we fill slots as checks and entry forms arrive.

College, High School, and Middle School groups are welcome at both festivals.

Monday, March 12th, 2012 Columbus High School

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 North Platte High School

MULTIPLE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. All festivals will begin in the morning and run throughout the day. Each group will have a main stage performance with our clinician Jennifer Barnes, as well as a follow-up clinic in the choir room with another clinician. There will be breakout sessions that your students will attend as well as the “Parade of Choirs” at the end of the day where everyone sings one more time for all the groups!

The festival is open to all schools however, NCDA members recieve a
discounted registration fee. Please click on the Membership to find a membership registration form, which you can fill out and mail to Gene Wagner at the address listed on the form.