School Groups

Ensemble Performance Clinics

Open to all levels from elementary school through college/university and semi-professional groups, the festival hosts a wide array of ensembles in a non-competitive environment. Groups may register in four categories: big bands, combos, vocal jazz groups, and vocal soloists. All groups receive recorded comments and a feedback clinic from some of our 40 artist/clinicians (college big bands receive recorded comments only). Choose from either an In-person clinic on the University of Northern Colorado Campus or a virtual clinic on Zoom. Each day, several educational workshops on topics ranging from improvisation and arranging to vocal and instrumental techniques are offered by the artist/clinicians and our main stage artists.

See the list of this year's clinicians

Director Information

School Perfomance and Workshop Schedule

• Additional Info

  Additional Info

  • Performance slots are 30-minutes for both instrumental and vocal ensembles. Slots include time to get on stage, setup, applause, etc.
  • Ensembles will have a 30-minute slot in a warm-up room
  • Ensembles will receive Audio recorded comments from clinician(s)
  • All ensembles will receive a feedback clinic from one of our clinicians in a separate room from the performance space.
  • Confidential ratings are available by request. 
  • Registration includes entry to the educational clinics, jam sessions, and after hours jazz sessions.
  • Performance venues come with high-quality backline (piano, bass amp, guitar amp, drum set, cymbals, and vibes), music stands/platforms, and a professional sound system with engineer.
  • Pianos and drum sets are tuned daily.
  • Registration does not include tickets to the evening concerts.
• Scheduling

  Scheduling

  • Thursday: Vocal Groups, Big Bands, and Combos
  • Friday: Big Bands and Combos
  • Saturday: Big Bands and Combos

  During registration you will be able to select your preferred time-block and day and provide details about your ensemble's performance. Please consider choosing a Saturday performance as Friday's schedule typically sells out. 

• Parking

  Parking

  Private Vehicles

  Street parking is available around Campus Commons Performance Hall. Please abide by all posted signage. Paid parking is available in C-Lot, just to the south of Campus Commons. 

  Bus Parking & Drop Off

  Designated bus drop-off Zones are to the south of Campus Commons on 22nd Street, and to the east of the University Center on 10th Ave. After dropping students/equipment buses can park in Y Lot by Nottingham Field or at Jackson Field. *Buses are not permitted in C Lot

  Download the UNC Parking Map

• Arrival & Check-in

  Arrival & Check-in

  • Check-in for all ensembles will be at UNC Campus Commons. Plan to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to your scheduled warmup time to locate your case storage area, warmup room, performance room and feedback room.
  • Check your Jazz Fest Portal for your schedule. 
  • The Staff at the registration desk and UNC student guides will help you find your assigned rooms. 
• Case Storage and Warmup 

  Case Storage

  Ensembles will be given a designated location to store cases, coats, and other items. Please visit your portal for the exact location. 

  Warmup 

  Warmup begins 30 minutes prior to your performance time in the assigned location. Rooms are equiped with an electric piano, drum set, bass and guitar amps 

• Performances 

  Performances 

  • Please note that travel time is not included your schedule - plan accordingly!
  • Ensembles must use the setups and equipment that is provided on stage. Due to scheduling, altering the setup will not be permitted. 

  Big Bands

  Your total time on stage is 30 minutes. This includes set-up, teardown, applause, and of course your peformance. Please plan accordingly when programming your set. Your 30-minute clinic will occur in a separate room. Sample Schedule: 10:00am - Warmup, 10:30am - Performance, 11:00am - Feedback Clinic. 

  Combos

  Your total time on stage is 30 minutes. This includes set-up, teardown, applause, and your performance . Please plan accordingly when programming your set. Your clinic is in the performance venue or a separate room. Sample Schedule: 10:00am - Warmup, 10:30am - Performance, 11:00am - Feedback Clinic.

  Vocal Jazz Ensembles

  Your total time on stage is 30 minutes. This includes set-up, teardown, applause, and your performance. Please plan accordingly when programming your set. Your feedback clinic will be in a separate room. If your set is less than 30 minutes, your clinic will begin on-stage and continue in the feedback room. Sample Schedule: 10:00am - Warmup, 10:30am - Performance, 11:00am - Feedback Clinic

• Equipment/Backline

  Equipment/Backline

  Vocal Ensembles

  • Sound reinforcement provided by Mighty Fine Productions
  • Drums and Cymbals
  • Bass Amp, Guitar Amp, 
  • Piano, keyboard amp, keyboard stand (keyboard will need to be supplied by the ensemble)
  • *We do not provide any auxiliary percussion or keyboards

  Instrumental Ensembles

  • Chairs, stands, and platforms
  • Drum set, cymbals, and vibraphone (performance room only)
  • Piano, keyboard amp, keyboard stand (keyboard will need to be supplied by the ensemble)
  • Bass amp and guitar amp
  • Sound reinforcement provided by Mighty Fine Productions
  • Microphones & PA
    • Campus Commons Performance Hall: Individual big band micing
    • Panorama Room: 1 mic per section and solo mic
    • Pikes Peak Ballroom: 1 mic per section and solo mic
    • Campus Commons Rehearsal Hall: 1 mic per section and solo mic

  *We do not provide any auxiliary percussion or keyboards

• Feedback Clinics & Comments

  Feedback Clinics & Comments

  • All ensembles will recieve written and recorded feedback comments
  • Confidential Ratings are optional and will only be disclosed to the ensemble director
  • Immediately following your performance, your clinic comments and optional rating will be emailed to you and available in your Director Portal. 
  • Recorded Comments will be available in your Director Portal by the end of the day.
• Photography

  Photography

  Jolesch Photography will be photographying every ensemble. After your feedback clinic, please proceed to the Mt. Evans ballroom in the University Center to have your group photographed.

• Maps and Stage Plots

  Maps

  

  Parking

  

  Campus Commons & University Center

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  Big Band Setup

  

  Combo Setup

• Dining

  • On-Campus Dining

    On-Campus Dining

    Retail Dining

    There are several Retail Dining locations to meet your quick and on-the-go needs, each having special offerings during UNC Jazz Festival 2024. View all dining hours of operation here: https://www.unco.edu/living-on-campus/dining/locations.aspx

    Located in the University Center

    • Empire State Pizza is a local New York style pizza company. If you are interested in ordering ahead, please call (970) 353-1706.
    • Crisol Latin Kitchen brings authentic tastes of Latin cuisine to the UNC campus. Menu choices vary from healthy to indulgent and will give you unique foods to explore with authentic flavors built into tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads.
    • Burger & Co. shares classic American fare from cheeseburgers to signature sandwiches including chicken, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings.
    • Bowlful has a variety of healthy choices including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. You can customize and build your own salad or grain bowls.
    • Einstein Bros® Bagels has freshly made sandwiches – or just a bagel and a schmear if you like. Grab drip or specialty coffee or fresh squeezed orange juice while you’re there.
    • Munchy Mart has all the convenience items you’re looking for. They also have breakfast burritos, fountain drinks, ice cream, and more.
    • Subway® can provide you with freshly made to order sandwiches and salads. Don’t forget to add on some cookies!
    • Hissho Sushi is your choice for freshly made to order sushi, poke bowls, and more.

    If you would like to order Einstein Bros® Bagels, or Subway® ahead of time, please email diningservices@unco.edu, and they’ll get you the information you need.

    Dining Rooms

    Holmes Dining Hall is an all you can eat location on West Campus (just a couple of minutes away from Campus Commons). They serve various options including burgers, pizza, pasta, soups, salads, sandwiches and more. Cash prices at the door are listed here: https://www.unco.edu/living-on-campus/dining/meal-plans.aspx.

    Credit/debit cards and cash are accepted in all dining locations. Holmes Dining Hall has a food station called Simple Servings that can accommodate those guests who have food allergies, as their recipes are free of 8 of the 9 top allergens. Please email diningservices@unco.edu if you have concerns or questions.

    Holmes Dining Hall hours of operation can be viewed here: https://www.unco.edu/living-on-campus/dining/locations.aspx

  • Off-Campus Dining

    Off-Campus Dining

    

    

    

    

    

     

    

    

    
  • Coffee

    

    

    

    
  • Larger Greeley Restaurant List
    Greeley Restaurants

Questions? Please contact the Jazz Festival production team at Jazz.Fest@unco.edu