PRIZE: $5,000 commissioning prize to compose a new work for the 68-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (“SJO”).

PURPOSE:  To commission a new orchestral score for the SJO, blending the worlds of jazz & classical music – and beyond.

The newly commissioned work will be premiered by the SJO in 2022/23 and entered into the SJO’s catalog of symphonic jazz commissions.

Created in 2002, the 68-member SJO is dedicated to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music through its commissioning, performing and educational programs. Led by Music Director, Mitch Glickman, the ensemble has performed throughout Southern California with such leading guest artists as Dave Grusin, Christian McBride, Raul Midon,  Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, The Yellowjackets, Miguel Zenon, and our former Co-Music Director and ASCAP board member, George Duke. The ASCAP Foundation/Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Commissioning Prize is made possible in part by a grant from The ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Fund.

The composer agrees to assign the rental administration of commissioned work (the “Composition”) to Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Music (the “Administrator”), the publishing designee of the SJO.  Administrator will print all orchestra parts and scores. The composer will retain the copyright of the commissioned work.

ELIGIBILITY:

All direct composer members of ASCAP. No age or geographic restrictions.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TBA – please check back in Summer 2021 for our 7th annual commissioning prize dates

MATERIAL TO BE SUBMITTED:

• Completed application form:  ASCAP Foundation/Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Commissioning Prize Entry Form
• One entry per composer.
• Email the following to info@SJOmusic.org:

1. Representative score of ONE original instrumental work written since 2012. Ideally, this work is scored for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, or large ensemble that integrates elements of jazz or other related genres. Please include your name and the name of the piece. Please attach in PDF format.
2. Recording of the work or an electronic realization (optional). Please attach an MP3 audio file.
3. Composer Biography and list of works

Composers will be notified by Oct. 31, 2021

JUDGES:

Members of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s Music Advisory Board.

ADMINISTRATION RIGHTS:

Administrator shall have the exclusive rights to include the Composition into its catalog of commissioned works and to rent print versions of the Composition to other ensembles.

Administrator shall have perpetual worldwide right to perform, record, administer and exploit the Composition and to execute jointly along with the composer’s publisher, and with the express permission of composer’s publisher, any and all licenses and agreements whatsoever affecting or respecting the Composition solely with regard to the public performance and rental of print versions of the Composition. The composer acknowledges and agrees that Administrator shall be named “co-publisher” of Composition as administrator of 50% of the publishing share with the appropriate performing rights society and shall be entitled to and shall receive and directly collect 50% of the publisher’s share from ASCAP.

ADDRESS INQUIRIES TO:

ASCAP Foundation/Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Commissioning Prize

PO Box 1421

Culver City, CA 90232  USA

310.876.8130

info@sjomusic.org