Student Composition Showcase Guidelines

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2013

TIMELINE

  • Application Forms and Criteria are available online until closed.
  • Awards will be presented at the Annual JEN Conference.
  • Deadline for applications to this programs is Monday, October 15, 2012, 12:00 midnight EDT.
  • Notification to recipients as applicable by Thursday, November 1, 2012.
  • Previous year’s winners are ineligible to participate.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Now in its third year, the JEN student Composition Showcase, designed to spotlight young jazz composers, gives current students an opportunity to have an original composition recognized and performed at the International level. All entrants will receive a certificate and comment from the professional reviewers. A total of 4-6 student compositions will be chosen for performance at the JEN Student Composition Showcase Presentation during the annual conference, with the composers being invited to attend the conference and hear a professional performance of their music. For this event, Alfred Music Publishing will supply appropriate templates in Finale or Sibelius as needed, and may consider any of these compositions for publication, and as such, will contact the composer directly in that regard. 

Current Membership in JEN is required in order to complete the application process. If you are not yet a member, please click here to JOIN JEN prior to attempting to attempting to pay the application fee or to complete the application form.

After preparing your materials to complete the application process, click below where noted to access the JEN Composition Showcase Application Form. After you have completed the Application Form, you should then proceed to pay the Application Fee of $10. Application Forms received without the application fee being paid will be discarded.  

Participation Rules:

  • The composer must be a fully enrolled student throughout the academic year, and a current member of JEN to apply.
  • Age groups for student entries:
    • Group 1: ages 14 through 17 as of September 1st in the current year application is being made.
    • Group 2: age 18 and above as of September 1st, in the year application is being made and  enrolled as a student for a minimum of six semester hours.
  • Students may enter only one original composition in only one of the categories listed below.
  • JEN reserves the right to use student compositions for publicity and/or display of exemplary work, in print or online.

Composition Categories:

  • Small Instrumental Group (2 to 9 instruments, maximum 6 minutes in length)
  • Large Instrumental Group (10 instruments and above, maximum 6 minutes in length)
  • Instrumental Group with vocal solo (maximum 3.5 minutes in length)
  • Vocal Group (4 - 8 voices a cappella or with rhythm section, maximum 3.5 minutes in length)

Composition Description:

  • Compositions submitted within the Project are expected to be in a jazz or jazz-related style.
  • Composition, by definition herein, implies an original work.  (Arrangements of other copyrighted works are not eligible for submission).
  • Instrumentation may be varied, small to large, to include any combination of the following:
  1. 5 Saxophones (AATTB or SATTB – Baritone has the low A.)
  2. 4 Trumpets (two of which may be designated Flugelhorn)
  3. 4 Trombones (one of which is a bass trombone)
  4. Piano, Bass, Drums and Guitar (standard equipment and amplifiers provided)
  5. 8 Voices (SATB, individually mic’d)
  6. Up to 3 additional Latin Percussionists
  7. Percussion instruments available for use and provided by JEN for the conference performance will include: 1 vibraphone; 1 set of congas; 1 set of timbales
  8. Additional Latin instruments become the responsibility of the composer.

Conference Attendance:

  • Chosen composers will be notified early in November or sooner if possible.
  • Selected works may be performed at the Annual JEN Conference.
  • Composers whose works are chosen for performance must attend the Annual JEN Conference.
    • Housing will be provided by JEN (shared housing whenever possible with one other showcase participant); and/or if under age 18 and accompanied by a chaperone, with your chaperone. 
  • All travel expenses will be the responsibility of the composer and/or his/her chaperone, when applicable.
  • A complimentary conference pass will be given each selected composer, plus one additional conference pass for the legal chaperone accompanying a student under the age of 18 at conference time.
    • Additional Chaperone Passes may be purchased online under the Registration Tab under Conference Central as needed once accepted.
  • Applicants wishing to bring a spouse will be expected to purchase a Spouse/Partner Registration for the conference and to cover the additional cost of housing for thier spouse.

 Preparing your Materials for Submission:

  • Photo: You will be asked to upload a photo of yourself.
    • file size should be under 2.5 mb, to be used on the JEN website and in electronic media.
    • File types accepted include: jpg, gif, and png files 160 pixels wide @ 72 dpi, no larger than 2.5 megabytes. 
    • LABEL your photo as LastName_FirstName_JEN Composition Showcase
  • Bio: Prepare a short 50 word bio for upload in a doc or pdf format.
  • Score: You will be asked to upload a pdf of your score.
    • File types in any other format cannot be accepted by the system
    • Do NOT upload parts. Parts will be asked for at a later date)
  • Audio file: You will be asked to upload an audio file. Files larger than the designated size herein or files submitted in the incorrect file format will NOT upload to the system.
    • File types accepted include: mp3 or m4a
    • File size should be SMALLER THAN 6mb
    • Label your audio files as follows: LastName_FirstName_CompositionShowcase_1.mp3   

Submission Details

  • Applications must be received online by 12:00 midnight (EDT) September 30th.
  • A $10.00 non-refundable application fee must be paid prior to being able to complete the submission application; This fee should be paid online via: credit or debit card (MC, VISA, AE), or by check and sent by postal service. If paying by check, the mailing must be postmarked no later than September 15th in order to allow time for processing prior to the application deadline. The address where you should send your check will be listed on your receipt, which is sent via email directly to the member email address you have used to log in.
  • Once you have successfully joined the organization as a member and your account is activated, you may complete the purchase of the Student Composition Showcase Application Fee by clicking below where noted. Applications received without payment of the Application Fee will be discarded.
  • After paying the Application Fee, you may complete the Student Composition Showcase Application Form, again by clicking below where noted.
  • It is highly recommended you prepare your application materials PRIOR to attempting to submit the Composition Showcase Application Form in accordance with these Guidelines.

  

If you are a current member of JEN, click here to pay the:

Student Composition Showcase Application Fee 

Once you have registered above, click here to upload your materials and complete the:

Student Composition Showcase Application Form 

 

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

2013 JEN Student Composition Showcase Recipients:

Compositions featured in Atlanta, GA will be performed by the U.S. Army Blues "Pershing's Own" from Washington, D.C.

  • Jose Gurria-Cardenas, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
  • Laila Smith, Presidential Scholar in the Arts, San Francisco, CA
  • Carter Brodkorb, Humber Community Music Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Dave Stamps, University of Nebrask-Lincoln

2012 JEN Student Composition Showcase Recipients:

Compositions featured in Louisville, KY were performed by the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra from Washington, D.C. under the direction of Alan Baylock.

  • Socrates Garcia, University of Northern Colorado
  • Brett McDonald, Rutgers University
  • Emily Merrell, University of North Texas
  • Tyler Mire, University of North Texas
  • Chase Morrin, Harvard University/New England Conservatory
  • Kate Skinner, University of Northern Colorado

2011 JEN Student Composition Showcase Recipients 

Compositions featured in 2011 were performed by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band under the direction  of Professor Steve Wiest.

  • Sarah Kervin, University of North Texas
  • Dan White, The Ohio State University
  • Laila Smith, Marin School of the Arts, 10th Grade
  • Adam Bartczak, University of Northern Colorado
  • Kevin Swaim, University of North Texas
  • Scott Ninmer, University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana
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