Call for Proposals Hut Foundation Alumni Commission Award Issue Date: June 23 rd, 2017 Submission Deadline: 11:59pm, October 25 th, 2017 Call To: SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Alumni
Summary SFJAZZ Education is interested in supporting High School All-Stars program participants beyond their immediate involvement with the organization through the commissioning of an original piece for the High School All-Stars Big Band. Alumni are invited to submit original works for consideration to be performed by the big band ensemble in the spring of 2018, with the selected composer receiving a $1,000 award to complete the work. Introduction This project is designed to maintain engagement with High School All-Star program alumni in a way that fosters their own creativity and artistry. SFJAZZ strives to support local artists, as well as those who have come through the institution internally as students and contributors. This commission not only recognizes and rewards our awardee for their artistic contribution, it creates a dialogue between previous and current program participants. As well as being valuable to the awardee, this is valuable to current High School All-Stars as an educational and inspirational experience. This project has grown out of SFJAZZ Education s Alumni Program, which materialized over the course of the 2013-2014 academic year. This year will mark the fourth commission awarded. This call is intended for all artists who, at any time since the program s inception in 2001, were identified as ensemble members or Alternates (to be distinguished from Mentorship Students) through the competitive audition process. Background and competency in jazz composition are a must, although applicants need not have composed for the ensemble during their tenure. Requirements The specific parameters of the composition fall into three categories: length, orchestration, and musical feasibility. Length The piece should be no less than four minutes and no more than eight minutes in length. Orchestration The make-up of the 2017-2018 High School All-Stars Big Band is five saxophones (alto(2), tenor(2), baritone(1)), five trombones (tenor(4), bass(1)), five trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, and drums, with the possibility of flute, vibraphone, voice, and additional hand percussion. For more details on any auxiliary instrumentation, please contact eputnam@sfjazz.org after September 1 st, 2017. Musical feasibility Instrument ranges should be in the standard accepted norm for saxophones, trombones, and trumpets. Lead trumpet: do not write above concert high E-flat, 3 ledger lines above the treble staff (a trumpet written high F-natural). Woodwinds: use of soprano saxophone is fine, and a small amount of flute and clarinet, if needed/desired for orchestration. No double reeds (oboe, etc.). Phrases in the winds should allow for proper breathing. There are three requirements of the proposal: a cover page, a description of the piece, and previous work samples. Including a sketch or lead sheet is optional.
Cover Page Applicants must complete and include the attached cover sheet with their submission. Description Applicants must submit a 300-500 word description in narrative form detailing the progression of the piece, as well as the tone and concept. Previous Work Samples At least two pieces of the composer s must be submitted in both chart and audio form. These should demonstrate not only what the composer feels is a typical product of hers or his, but also should provide an idea of how the composer might express themselves within parameters comparable to those of the requisite piece (listed above). How to Submit a Proposal Proposals must be submitted electronically in the form of PDFs and mp3s to SFJAZZ Education s Ensembles Manager, Erin Putnam (eputnam@sfjazz.org). Please take into consideration the size of your files and send them using an appropriate platform (if not e-mail, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.) Be aware that SFJAZZ is on Pacific Standard Time if sending your materials on the final day. Late applications will not be considered. Selection Process Pieces will undergo a blind evaluation by department and program directors based upon creativity, musical maturity, and a command of composition within the jazz orchestra idiom. Process The awardee will be informed of their selection on or before December 8 th, 2017, and will be provided with additional information. Once the first and second drafts have been submitted, the ensemble will make a rough rehearsal recording of the piece to be submitted to the composer for consideration before the final draft. The composer is invited to attend the May 20 th concert for the work s premier; in the event of the need to workshop the piece before its premier, the awardee may be brought out several days earlier. Final recognition of the piece and composer, as well as a live recording, will occur at the High School All-Stars spring concert. The piece may or may not be chosen to be recorded for the 2017-18 High School All-Stars double album. Timeline June 23 rd, 2017 October 25 th, 2017 December 8 th, 2017 January 3 rd, 2018 January 5 th, 2018 February 16 th, 2018 March 16 th, 2018 March 30 th, 2018 Call for Proposals All submissions (i.e.: the three submission portions outlined above) must be received by 11:59pm Awardee will be informed that her or his piece has been chosen First draft must be submitted in the form of a lead sheet or score Awardee announced Second draft must be submitted in the form of a complete score Preliminary recording returned to the composer Final draft submitted
May 20 th, 2018 Awardee will be recognized at the premier of the piece (to take place at the High School All-Stars spring concert) and $1000 commission will be given to the awardee Confidentiality and Acknowledgement Submissions that are not chosen will not be used or exploited in any way, monetary or other. The intellectual property laid out in these submissions will not be included in any SFJAZZ projects thereafter. The submission that is chosen will be fully recognized as the composer s. The piece is guaranteed to be recorded live at the May 7 th premier, however it is not guaranteed to be recorded for the 2017-2018 High School All-Stars double album. Any recordings will recognize the composer and any publishing information the composer wishes in conjunction with their writing. Frequently Asked Questions - What additional information is provided/required if my piece is selected? You will be required to confirm in writing that you accept the commission and will perform the tasks as they are laid out here. We will need your W9 in order to provide you with the award, in addition to any publishing information necessary to acknowledge your work. - Where else might my piece be performed? Given the timely submission of the final draft, the Big Band will have the opportunity to perform the piece at a spring festival. The piece will also be eligible to be recorded for the 2017-2018 High School All-Stars double album.
Cover Page Hut Foundation Alumni Commission Award Name: Email: Phone: Address: Tenure in the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars (e.g.: 2001-2003): Proposed name of commissioned piece: Please briefly summarize your musical experience since participating in the ensemble, including schooling and any major awards and distinctions: Please briefly state why you feel that you and your piece are the best candidates for this commission award, including the specific merits of the piece, as well as how your involvement will be beneficial to the 2017-2018 High School All-Stars program and more broadly, SFJAZZ: