IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
 

This spring, the 2025–26 Iowa Jazz Championships Board of Directors voted to implement a new selection system for determining the participating bands, beginning with the 2026–27 school year. Please note the following:
 

Summary of Changes

​

•       15 bands from each classification will be invited to attend (no change).

​

•       The first-place band in each classification from each of the 6 districts will receive an automatic invitation (change from: the first- and second-place bands received automatic invitations).

​

•       There will be 9 “wild card” bands from each classification (change from: 3 wild card bands from each classification).

​

•       All bands who participate in at least one jazz festival located in Iowa will be eligible for a wild card invitation (change from: bands had to meet one of the established criteria to be considered).

​

•       The board of directors will select the wild card bands based on careful evaluation of all festival results (no change, other than all bands now being eligible for consideration—the board always selected the wild card bands).
 

Rationale for the Change

​

We understand this seems like a significant change from the longstanding selection process, and the board did not make the decision without careful consideration. The primary reasons for the change were:

​

•       The new process allows the board to consider all bands, not just those who met one of the wild card selection criteria.

​

•       This change preserves the importance of the district festivals (district festivals are still the only festivals that determine automatic qualifying bands), while slightly reducing the outsized influence any one festival might have for a band. For example: if a band’s drum set player is ill for the district festival, the band still has other opportunities.

​

•       The new process allows the board more flexibility to identify the top bands in the entire state and offer them invitations.

​

•       The old process often did not yield enough participating bands, especially in Class 1A. When this happened, the board used some version of the approach described above; this change codifies that approach and makes it transparent.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

​

Q. How will the board determine the wild card invitations, exactly?

​

A. This has never been an exact science, and there will still be human judgment in the new process. The most straightforward answer is: the board will select the bands who have a pattern of placing ahead of other bands (including the automatic qualifying bands) and do not place behind too many bands. If a band tends to be near the top at the competitions it attends, it will have a strong case for consideration. The board will also carefully evaluate head-to-head competition among the bands being considered—something that was historically more difficult under the wild card criteria.

​​

Q. How many competitions should my band attend in order to have a chance at being selected?

​

A. Much like the old system, there is no magic number for this answer. Some bands will be selected after attending only one festival, and other bands might attend five festivals and not receive an invitation. Attending more festivals means more chances to earn a high placement—but it also means more opportunities for a lower placement. We encourage schools to view festival participation primarily as an educational experience, and to select a schedule that works for your school and budget. In general, the bands who have been offered wild card invitations typically attend their district festival and 1–3 independent festivals. We expect this to remain similar in the new system.

​

Q. Will program reputation or director reputation be used to determine the wild card selections?

​

A. No. Program reputation and director reputation have not been used to make selections, and they will not be used in the new process. The board will only assess the contest results.

​

Q. Does the timing of the festival make any difference in the selection process (December or January versus February or March)?

​

A. No. The timing of the festivals has not been used to make selections, and it will not be used in the new process.

​

Q. I am still confused about how I can help my band get selected. Can you please provide some more clarification?

​

A. Certainly! The most common source of confusion seems to be around “winning” or “getting X place” at a contest. In reality, what matters most is which other schools you place ahead of. For example, finishing 1st place at the “Basie Festival” may not strengthen a wild card case much if there were no other bands in your classification present. On the other hand, finishing 7th place at the “Coltrane Festival” could be impressive; if there were 15 to 20 other bands in your classification and the 6 bands who placed ahead of you have strong records elsewhere, that 7th-place finish reflects well on your program. In short: the board looks for bands that consistently place ahead of others—especially bands with strong records at other festivals—and that do not frequently place behind bands who ultimately will not be in consideration for an invitation.

​​

Q. This seems very drastic; how much do you expect to change with the new selection process?

​

A. When we applied the new system to previous years’ results, the selected bands looked far more similar than different. In most cases, the same bands were chosen. When a difference did occur, it typically involved a scenario like this: Band A received an automatic invitation based on a second-place finish at their district festival, which had three total bands in their classification. They attended no other festivals. Band B finished third at their district festival, which had ten bands, and also attended two independent festivals, placing near the top at both. When evaluating the complete results, the board could see that Band B had placed ahead of bands from at least 10 other schools throughout the season, while Band A had placed ahead of one other band. The new process gives the board the flexibility to recognize Band B’s stronger overall record in situations like this—something the old criteria did not always allow.

​

Q. I am unhappy about this change—what can I do?

​

A. First, please know that the 2025–26 IJC board carefully deliberated this decision. No selection system will ever be perfect, and the board believes this new approach is the most equitable option available—one that better reflects the full picture of what bands accomplish across the season. We encourage you to share your feedback with us, especially after we have had the opportunity to try the new system for one year.

 

 

​

​

Will the competition be televised or live streamed?

There will be no live streaming of the bands for the daytime competition or evening finals.

 

Where is the schedule?

The schedule is here.

 

Where do I park?

Use Exit 146 (South University Blvd.) from US 30, then head north to Hilton Coliseum/Iowa State Center Parking Lots. Turn left on Center Drive just south of Hilton Coliseum. Free parking is available throughout the daytime and evening events. Lots B1 & C1 are spectator parking for Scheman performance centers. All lots south of Center Drive are spectator parking for Stephens Auditorium. Find the parking map here.

 

Where are the performances?

• Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A: Scheman Building at the Iowa State University campus

• Class 4A: Stephens Auditorium at the Iowa State University campus

• Awards Ceremony: 6:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium at the Iowa State University campus

 

How much is admission, may I purchase tickets in advance, and do you accept credit cards?

• Admission for all classes of competition for the entire day of the Iowa Jazz Championships is $20, payable at the door with cash only.

• Deeply discounted advance tickets are available for purchase here.

  • Use code EARLYBIRD for $12 tickets through Tuesday, March 31.

  • Use code ADVANCE for $15 tickets Wednesday, April 1 through Monday, April 6.

  • Enter these codes on the order details page where you see “enter coupon code.”

• All tickets are valid for a wristband that will allow entry to performances in all four classes and all locations. Children under 5 who sit on a lap are free. NO REFUNDS will be given for any reason. If you're not sure you can attend, tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event at regular price, cash only; no checks or credit cards.

​

How do I purchase a t-shirt?

First, check with your director, because many schools pre-order t-shirts for their students. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, there are two options, place your order by March 18 at this website (this deadline is firm). T-shirts will NOT be available on-site this year. Online ordering only.

​

Is food available at the competition?

Concessions are available in the Scheman Building between 11:00 a.m and 1:30 p.m.  There is no food available for purchase at Stephens Auditorium. No food is allowed in any of the performances venues.

 

How is the performance schedule determined?

The top eight placing bands from last year, if performing again this year, were scheduled randomly into the final performance times of the daytime competition. If a band placed in the top eight under a different IHSMA classification last year and changed to a new classification this year, that band was assigned the performance time immediately prior to the returning top eight placing bands in their new classification. If this scenario applied to more than one band, those bands were assigned performance times at random immediately prior to the returning top eight placing bands in that classification. All other bands were scheduled by travel time from their performance center.

​

When and where is the afternoon awards ceremony?

Awards will begin at approximately 6:30 in Stephens Auditorium.  At 5:30 p.m., the  DIVA Jazz Orchestra  will perform in Stephens Auditorium while results are tabulated.  1A, 2A, and 3A participants and supporters may begin entering at 4:15, however please be considerate of the 4A performing bands while entering. Only student participants may sit in the floor seating area (rows 1-32). Students enter through any of the main floor doors on the east side and proceed as far down the row as possible. Parents and other band supporters must sit in the balcony and loge seating areas, which are accessible through all three balcony levels. Standing in isles is not permitted. All participants, directors, parents, and guests should remain in their seats for the entire awards ceremony, which will finish by 7:00.

 

Are the performances recorded, and may I purchase a recording?

The Iowa Jazz Championships provides an audio performance recording to each school's director for archival purposes only.  The IJC does not keep copies of recordings and is unable to provide audio or video recordings from this year's or past performances.

​

Does IJC still have an evening finals component?

No, the board of directors voted to eliminate the evening finals after the 2024 Iowa Jazz Championships.