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Essentially Ellington

High school ensembles: Assemble. 

Dr. Phillips Center is honored to partner with Jazz at Lincoln Center in presenting the annual, internationally-acclaimed Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival. 
 
This non-competitive event offers an amazing opportunity to perform Duke Ellington’s iconic music and receive professional, critical feedback from Jazz at Lincoln Center clinicians. Take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind experience in the video below. 

Previous Jazz at Lincoln Center clinicians have included Terrel Stafford, a master trumpeter and the head of Jazz Studies at Temple University; Jim Gasior, EE finalist director, pianist and educator; Rodney Whitaker, director of The Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center; as well as additional professional jazz musicians. During the festival, bands play at least one tune from the Essentially Ellington library before participating in a workshop and receiving awards and written adjudicator feedback. Stay tuned on this page for details about next year’s festival.
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Registration & Lottery Details: 

Given the large number of bands interested in taking part in the Essentially Ellington festival, participation is determined by lottery. Registration for the lottery opens each fall.  

At that time, 25 spots are made available through the registration link. Once these spots are filled, registration automatically closes. 
After the registration period,14 bands are drawn at random to participate in the festival. One additional, alternate band is selected to fill any spot that may become available if a selected band is unable to attend.  

All selected bands, including the alternate, will be contacted directly once the lottery process is complete. 

At this time the Essentially Ellington lottery drawing is closed  
and all spots for the 2026 regional high school jazz festival are full. 

If you have any questions about next year’s festival, please email Ryan Simpson at Ryan.simpson@drphillipscenter.org

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