JAZZ IN THE CHI FESTIVAL

2026 Jazz in the Chi Registration

DETAILS FOR THE SEVENTH ANNUAL JAZZ IN THE CHI FESTIVAL

Saturday, April 25, 2026
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
211 S. Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60607

Master classes and workshops at the 2026 Jazz in the Chi Festival will be led by Jazz Studies faculty from the DePaul University School of Music.

The DePaul School of Music is one of Chicago’s premier destinations for jazz education. Students studying at DePaul work closely with renowned faculty artist-teachers and develop their musicianship through a combination of rigorous coursework and extensive performance opportunities. Alumni of DePaul’s jazz program can be heard performing across Chicago and around the world, and they also teach at leading institutions.

Midday Sessions (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)

Saxophone Techniques -- Scott Burns
Brass Techniques -- Chad McCullough
Rhythm Section Techniques -- Dana Hall

Morning & Afternoon Session (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM & 12:45-1:45 PM)

How to Build and Shape a Solo from Start to Finish -- Scott Hesse

The Essentially Ellington (EE) Regional High School Jazz Band Festival at the 2026 Jazz in the Chi will feature Shirazette Tinnin, professor at Berklee College of Music, and Steve Sveum, EE finalist director from Sun Prairie High School, as adjudicators and clinicians representing Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival.

The Jazz Institute of Chicago will also invite highly rated* jazz ensembles participating in the 2026 Jazz in the Chi Festival to perform at the 2026 Chicago Jazz Festival.

*based on the assessment of the adjudicators

Registration deadline: January 30, 2026

ABOUT JAZZ IN THE CHI

The Jazz in the Chi Festival, presented by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, is an educational event for high school, middle school, and elementary school jazz ensembles. The Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival takes place within Jazz in the Chi and is co-produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

All participating ensembles perform a short set of music followed by a clinic with the adjudicating clinicians.
Each group receives written and recorded feedback to support continued growth long after the festival.
Workshops, master classes, and a vendor fair with colleges, arts organizations, and music merchants create an immersive experience for students and directors.
Ensemble directors also enjoy a luncheon with the clinicians, and students participate in events featuring guest artists and educators.

The Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival offers high school big bands of all levels the opportunity to perform and receive professional feedback on the music of Duke Ellington and other important big band composers and arrangers.

Participating bands must join Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington program and perform at least one chart from the Essentially Ellington library.
This free program provides original transcriptions, teaching guides, access to original recordings, and interactive rehearsal videos featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Clinicians from Jazz at Lincoln Center work directly with each band following their performance.

THROUGH JAZZ INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE), ENSEMBLES THAT PARTICIPATE AT THE JAZZ IN THE CHI FESTIVAL BECOME ELIGIBLE TO BE FEATURED AT THE NEXT CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL!

Scott Hesse—How to Build and Shape a Solo from Start to Finish