Anybody's kid been to the Essentially Ellington competition?

College Majors Music Majors
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<p>While I sit here still missing my college freshman, I was just thinking about the Essentially Ellington competition and what an amazing experience it was when he went. I’d love to hear from other parents whose kids participated.</p>

<p>To parents with potential jazz major kids: If your high school jazz band is REALLY good, and it has a director willing to work his butt off, you might find out if they know about it. The bands learn Duke Ellington music, send in a recording, and 15 bands are chosen to go to NYC for a weekend of workshops, jam sessions and concerts with Wynton Marsalis and the players from the Lincoln Center Jazz Band. Then they have a big competition (judges by Wynton and a few other of the most prominent jazz people). The competition is wrapped up by a concert with the LCJO. You won’t believe that your kid actually gets to play in Avery Fisher Hall!</p>

<p>If you happen to be in NYC May 19-20, GO! The competitions are free and it is great. It might also give your kid a sense of the competition out there (fierce) and you will have a great time.</p>

<p>Here is the web site:
<a href=“http://www.jalc.org/04_05/ee/index.html[/url]”>http://www.jalc.org/04_05/ee/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>My son is a high school senior and his school is one of the 15 finalists for the second time. It’s a great experience. By the way, now that the LCJO has a new home at Columbus Circle, the bands perform in the new Rose Hall (maybe not as prestigious as Avery Fisher, but with much better acoustics). Only the final concert with the top three groups is at Avery Fisher The only scary part is wondering if these over 400 talented kids will be able to find careers in jazz.</p>

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<p>I wish my son had that experience! He was affiliated (as an alternate) with a regional all-star band that went in a previous year, and I read all about their trip. Besides the competition itself, they went to a club and jammed with some NYC musicians. What an opportunity.</p>

<p>I’m curious about where your sons are going to college and whether or not you think they will end up pursuing careers in jazz.</p>