Finalists Announced for 17TH Annual Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition

Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition: February 14-16, 2025
The 17th annual event celebrates the musical genius of a jazz legend
Showcases dozens of talented high school students from across the US

NEW YORK, NY, December 20, 2024 — Top high school students from across the United States will celebrate the music of the great bassist and composer Charles Mingus (1922-1979) as part of the 17th Annual Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition taking place at The New School of Jazz & Contemporary Music in New York City. Details for the full weekend festival taking place February 14-16, 2025, can be found at charlesmingus.org.)

The event is organized and presented annually by Let My Children Hear Music/The Charles Mingus Institute and by Dr. Keller Coker and The New School of Jazz & Contemporary Music, with support from Jazz Workshop, Inc.

In categories for both big bands and combos, twelve finalist ensembles will be featured in this year’s festival. Entrants come from all over the country including California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.

On Friday, February 14th, an open rehearsal of the Mingus Big Band will be held at New School. 

On Saturday, February 15th, students will explore aspects of Mingus’ music in instrumental clinics, workshops, lectures, films, and a performance by Mingus Dynasty at The New School of Jazz’s Arnhold Hall at 55 West 13th Street. The day will conclude with Mingus jam sessions for high school student participants and an optional Mingus Big Band performance at Joe’s Pub.

On Sunday, February 16th, the Mingus Competition is a full day of concert performances by combos and big bands in Tishman Auditorium at 63 Fifth Avenue. Sunday evening, outstanding soloists from the Competition will be invited to sit in with Mingus Big Band, performing 2 sets again at Joe’s Pub.

“Charles’ music contains multitudes,” said Festival founder and NEA Jazz Master Sue Mingus, who formed the first Mingus repertory group Mingus Dynasty in 1979 and oversaw the performance and publishing of Mingus Music until her retirement. The genius of Mingus’ compositions – which, along with his scores, correspondence, original manuscripts, and more, were acquired by the Library of Congress in 1993, a first for jazz, and a first for a Black American composer. – have given Mingus' music a life beyond his performances and recordings. The Mingus organizations are now managed by Sue's son, Roberto Ungaro, and the team of devoted musicians and creatives she mentored in her lifetime.

“The festival gives outstanding students around the country a chance to perform on their level and enriches their school programs,” says co-founder Justin DiCioccio. “It’s great for students to be challenged by this music and to form networks with other outstanding jazz musicians. For the serious student, these are going to be their peers for the rest of their lives.”

For press inquiries: education@charlesmingus.org

FINALISTS OF THE CHARLES MINGUS
HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION

BIG BAND CATEGORY

Boston Latin School Big Band, Boston, MA. Band Director: Paul J Pitts

Newark Academy Big Band "Chameleon", Livingston, NJ. Band Director: Julius Tolentino

Newton South High School Jazz Ensemble, Newton, MA. Band Director: Lisa Linde

William H. Hall High School Concert Jazz Band, West Hartford, CT. Band Director: Phil Giampietro

BIG BAND CATEGORY - Specialized Schools and Programs

Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, New York, NY. Band Director: Julius Tolentino

Jazz House Big Band, Montclair, NJ. Band Director: Nathan Eklund

COMBO CATEGORY

Enloe Jazz Ambassadors Combo, Raleigh, NC. Band Director: Robert C. Hunter

Newton South High School Combo, Newton, MA. Band Director: Ian Ashby

Rio Americano Combo 1, Sacramento, CA. Band Director: Josh Murray

COMBO CATEGORY - Specialized Schools and Program

"A" Train Ensemble, Milwaukee Jazz Institute, Milwaukee, WI. Band Director: Mark Davis

Jazz House Ambassadors, Montclair, NJ. Band Director: Mike Lee

JTole Saxophone Ensemble, Roselle Park, NJ. Band Director: Julius Tolentino

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

— Bothell Jazz Combo, Bothell, WA. Self-directed: Nick Ang, Piano; Katie Prindle, Bass; Carson Persinger, Drums; Thomas Holmes, Trombone; Patrick Monahan, Tenor Sax; Max Wilson, Alto Sax

— WWMA Combo, Walker West Music Academy,  Saint Paul, MN. Band Director: Jack Breen

Mingus Big Band at Joe’s Pub, Feb 15th and 16th, 2 shows each night. Presale now for Festival Participants (get access code from band director). On sale to public Dec 23 at Noon