Band Registration – Teagarden Jazz Festival

Who Can Perform in the Festival?

The Teagarden Jazz Festival is open to all small ensembles of 4-9 musicians (up to 12 for brass bands with a max of 7 horns) performing at a time. In addition to school bands, all festival divisions also include jazz combos & New Orleans-style brass bands from:

Self-directed student bands
Private music teachers
Non-profit community organizations
Community bands
Jazz Club/Societies

Small Ensembles will be accepted regardless of experience in the following categories:

Elementary/Middle School
High School
College

Qualifications

All band members younger than 22 (or enrolled in a minimum of 6 college credits)
The band performs in one or more of the styles described in the “Style Guide” (on the Traditional Jazz Educators Network Web site)
4 to 9 musicians perform at a time (up to 12 for brass bands with a max of 7 horns)

Festival Format

Each group will spend 45 minutes with three clinicians. Clinicians will provide feedback of your performance of three tunes (lead sheets) with the option of spending a portion of the clinic teaching your group a jazz composition totally by ear, focusing upon aural training and improvisation. If you have nothing prepared to bring to The Teagarden Jazz Festival, you can have your clinicians introduce your ensemble to a selection of lead sheets of your choice (bring with you) or spend your entire session on aural training and improvisation.

Pre-festival Clinics

This year we are hoping to offer two or three pre-festival clinics to bands in the Sacramento area, free of charge. The Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation will arrange for a music professional familiar with both Traditional Jazz and working with youth bands, to come to one band rehearsal approximately three weeks before the festival and provide guidance and feedback. If you are interested in a clinic, please indicate on the registration form and more information will be provided directly to interested groups.

Dates & Space Confirmation

Registration opens: Monday August 31, 2026

Deadline to Register and submit payment to confirm space: Friday December 4, 2026, or until spaces are filled, whichever comes first.

You can still register a band and have payment follow. However, space is not confirmed until payment is received.
As registrations come in, space will be allocated by first registered, then first paid.
Programs can register up to two bands. Additional bands will go on a waiting list.
- Our goal with this change is to allow for more programs to experience the festival. We have had a waiting list for the last two years which includes bands that have never had the opportunity to participate.
- Bands on the waiting list will be notified of their status before the holiday break. You do not need to submit payment for a band on the waiting list until we have verified there is space.
All spaces were filled with paid bands before the deadline last year. Arrange for payment as soon as you can after registration to secure your spot.

Registration Fees

2027 Registration is $225 for first band, $175 for an additional band. There is a $50 late fee for payments received after the December 4^th deadline, assuming space is still available. Late fees will not apply to bands coming off the waiting list.

Reduced registration fees based on need can be requested when you register and will be reviewed by the TJF committee. Any consideration of fee reduction would apply to programs bringing one band.

Fees Include: