May 2, EE 2026: Competition Part III & IV
COMPETITION PART III
SATURDAY, MAY 2 – 10:00 AM
• Shorewood High School (Shoreline, WA), directed by Dan Baker
• Tarpon Springs High School (Tarpon Springs, FL), directed by Dr. Tim Sexton and Chris Faison
• Susan Wagner High School (Staten Island, NY), directed by Paul Corn
• Agoura High School (Agoura Hills, CA), directed by Robert Hackett
COMPETITION PART IV
SATURDAY, MAY 2 – 1:00 PM
• Osceola County School for the Arts (Kissimmee, FL), directed by Jason Anderson
• Carroll Senior High School (Southlake, TX), directed by David Lown
• Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (San Diego, CA), directed by Gilbert Castellanos
• Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach, FL), directed by Christopher De León
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The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Launched in 1995, Essentially Ellington is a free program for high school jazz bands that aims to elevate musicianship, broaden perspectives, and inspire performance. EE provides high school and college band directors with resources for the study and performance of big band music. Any high school or college-aged jazz ensemble can join the EE network by registering in our EE Members Only portal, free of charge. Upon doing so, the ensemble remains a member going forward.