Oldest, largest competition of its kind in U.S. has benefited thousands of young musicians since 1969

3,000 musicians, 200 bands compete for $175,000 in scholarships, Saturday, February 9

Berklee College of Music's annual High School Jazz Festival, the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the U.S., will celebrate its 40th anniversary, Saturday, February 9, at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend as more than 3,000 students and 200 bands will perform and compete for tuition scholarships totaling $175,000—the highest amount awarded in the history of the festival. 

Berklee’s High School Jazz Festival, originally known as the New England High School Stage Band Festival, was initiated by former college president Lee Elliot Berk.  At the first competition, which took place March 15, 1969, at the 1140 Boylston St. building on Berklee's campus, there were 21 bands, and Rush-Henrietta Central High School Band (Rochester, NY), directed by Thomas Ghidiu, was the winning ensemble. Over the years, thousands of high school students and music educators have benefited from the performance evaluations, clinics, workshops, and scholarship opportunities available.

Lawrence Bethune, Berklee’s vice president for student affairs/dean of students, has been involved in each of the festivals over the past four decades. “I’ve watched this festival grow and evolve into an amazing day of music and  education,” he says. “This is an important event that has touched and improved the musical lives of thousands of young people.”