The Charles Mingus Festival and High School Competition, named after legendary jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus, is one of the most prestigious competitions in the country.
It draws top high school jazz ensembles from across the United States, all vying for the chance to showcase their musicianship among the best young players in the country. Under the direction of Mr. Paul Pitts and Mr. Sean Lee, Boston Latin School’s Big Band is no exception, traveling to New York City at the start of February break to compete — an opportunity that put them on one of the biggest stages of high school jazz.
The application process is simple, but highly competitive. High school bands submit recordings of their best playing, hoping to impress the judges with their technique, musical expression and ability to capture the essence of Mingus’s distinctive style, ranging from advanced bebop to avant-garde jazz. Only a handful of groups make it to the final round, where they spend an immersive weekend in New York City rehearsing, attending workshops with professional jazz musicians and ultimately performing in front of a panel of esteemed judges. Of all the bands that auditioned in the Big Band category, only four were selected to play in the city.
Before heading to New York City, BLS Big Band demonstrated their talent closer to home, earning a gold medal at the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Cape Cod Jazz Festival.
Pianist Carina Szocik (I) shares, “The judges there really loved our performance.” Their playing was not just well-received — it was flawless, securing a perfect score from all three judges.
The Charles Mingus Competition weekend began on Friday, February 14, with a special opportunity: high school ensembles were invited to sit in on an open rehearsal of the Grammy-winning Mingus Big Band, one of three Mingus repertory groups.
Unlike a traditional rehearsal, this session was more conversational and spontaneous, offering a glimpse into the ensemble’s dynamic approach. Mr. Pitts remarks, “They don’t have a conductor, so it was a lot of guys talking about what they were doing. It was pretty funny, actually.”
On Saturday, February 15, the event was packed with activities: students participated in instrumental clinics and workshops, and they attended lectures, films and a performance by Mingus Dynasty, another repertory group. In the evening, high school students played in Mingus jam sessions, which was a highlight of the trip for many.
On Sunday, February 16, anticipation peaked as various bands took the stage for concert performances at the Tishman Auditorium. For many Big Band members, the weight of this moment was undeniable.
Owen Higgs (III), the band’s bass trombonist, reflects on the intensity leading up to their performance: “There were definitely nerves for pretty much everyone because Mr. Lee and Mr. Pitts had drilled us so much.”
While BLS Big Band didn’t leave the competition with an award, individual players received medals: Outstanding Musicianship Awards went to Cynthia Francis (II) on alto saxophone, Justin Gao (I) on trombone and Carina Szocik (I) on piano. Scozik also won the Outstanding Soloist Award for Division I.
While appreciating their successes, many of them noted that there are some improvements to be made before the state finals, which take place on March 22.
Although the William H. Hall High School Concert Jazz Band from Connecticut took home the win, the season has not ended. BLS Big Band still has many imminent events, including the aforementioned state finals and BLS’s own Porchfest in early June, which Mr. Pitts encourages all to attend.