The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s annual Honour Jazz Bands program provides students from across the province the opportunity to gather together for a shared experience of fast-paced musical challenge and growth in the context of a big band. Participants work closely with Manitoba’s finest jazz educators and performers.

Formed in the early 1990s, one or more High School Honour Jazz Band has been performing at the Jazz Winnipeg Festival now for over 30 years! Beginning with one jazz band the program has grown to three ensembles: Junior, Intermediate or Senior. Students are selected on the strength of an audition, which includes improvisation and excerpts (and sight reading in live auditions). Rehearsals take place over the course of three fast-paced and exciting days in preparation for the final concert as part of the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. This project is part of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s commitment to outreach and the development of big band performance in the province of Manitoba.