Last year's Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival. Directed by Joan Chamorro and 2nd place in the competition, the Sant Andreu Jazz Band from Barcelona, Spain, performs at the Rose Theater on Saturday, May 10, 2025. New York. Jazz at Lincoln Center. Photo: Gilberto Tadday/Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The Carroll Jazz Orchestra has once again earned a place among the world’s elite high school jazz programs, receiving an invitation to perform at the 2026 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival in New York City.
This year’s invitation marks the eighth time Carroll has been selected to participate — the most appearances by any Texas high school.
This year’s festival is especially notable, as it marks the first time Essentially Ellington expanded its finalist field to include international high school ensembles, according to a press release from Carroll ISD. With a record number of submissions from around the world, Carroll’s selection places the Jazz Orchestra among the top 20 high school jazz ensembles globally.
Carroll has a strong history of success at the festival. Last year, three Dragon musicians earned individual honors, including recognition for lead trumpet, clarinet, and tenor saxophone performance, while the band also received a monetary award for its overall showing. The program has also consistently stood out for its depth, regularly featuring multiple All-State musicians and performing in both full big band and smaller ensemble settings.
The Jazz Orchestra will travel to New York City from April 30 through May 2, where students will perform on one of jazz’s most iconic stages, participate in workshops, and collaborate with fellow elite musicians from across the nation and abroad.