2024 Jazz Composers’ Symposium
The sixth International Jazz Composers’ Symposium, co-sponsored by Vanderbilt University and the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC), will be held at the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music from May 16-18, 2024. The Symposium is designed as a forum to unite jazz composers of all ages and nationalities in an informal exchange of ideas, information, and inspiration.

This year’s Symposium will include master artists in a series of concerts, lectures, master classes, panel discussions, research presentations, and industry sessions.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

Featured  Artists

John Beasley
John Clayton
Anat Cohen
Mike Holober
Oded Lev-Ari
Danilo Pérez

Evening Concerts

Danilo Pérez Trio (Thursday)
John Clayton with the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra (Friday)
Anat Cohen Tentet with Music Director, Oded Lev-Ari (Saturday)

Curated Sessions

Darcy James Argue
Orbert Davis
Michele Fernández
Monika Herzig
Nick Smart
Nashville Jazz Composers Panel with Jeff Coffin, Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer

Downbeat Live Blindfold Test
John Clayton and Rufus Reid

First Takes
Sam Blakeslee
Nick Finzer
Steve Guerra
Sarah Jerrom
Simon Lasky
Pascal Le Boeuf
Remy Le Boeuf
Vanessa Perica
Rufus Reid and Nick Finzer
Jussi Reijonen
Ross Strauser
Drew Zaremba
Chris Zuar

Performances and Presentations
Performances of SONIC Award-Winning Works

Neil Carson (Small Group Category)
Damiano Pascarelli (Arrangement Category)
Zach Rich (Large Ensemble Category)

ISJAC/USF Prize for Emerging Black Composers
Michael Dudley

ISJAC Fundamental Freedoms Commission
Meg Okura

ISJAC/iJazzMusic Wayne Shorter Jazz Arranging Prize
Danny Jonokuchi

ISJAC/USF Owen Prize in Jazz Composition
Sam Parnin

New Music Workshops, First Takes, Posters, and Papers

Call for Scores & Papers: CLOSED
For more conference information as well as application guidelines/forms for those wishing to present their work visit the ISJAC website: https://isjac.org/symposium/call-for-scores-and-papers-2024

Conference Dates: Thursday May 16 – Saturday May 18, 2024
Location: Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music- Nashville, TN (USA)

Symposium Registration Fees (Registration includes admission to ALL evening concerts)
Pre-registration (through March 31st) Pricing 

  • General $245 (ISJAC Members)
  • Student $175 (Student ISJAC Members)
  • General $305 (Non-Members)
  • Student $215 (Non-Members)
  • Spouse/Partner $95

Registration (after March 31st) Pricing

  • General $285 (ISJAC Members)
  • Student $215 (ISJAC Members)
  • General $340 (Non-Members)
  • Student $255 (Non-Members)
  • Spouse/Partner $95
  • Thursday, May 16th (8:00pm) – Danilo Pérez Trio with Ian Ashby (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums)
  • Friday, May 17th (8:00pm) – John Clayton with the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra
  • Saturday, May 18th (8:00pm) – Anat Cohen Tentet with musical director, Oded Lev-Ari

ISJAC Member Symposium Registration ISJAC Student Member Symposium Registration

If you want to sign up for an ISJAC Membership, choose the Non-Member Registration and you’ll see an optional upgrade option during the checkout process. Please note that the system will automatically help you if you select an invalid option (if you’re a member and you select Non-Member, it will automatically change your selection to the Member option).

ISJAC Non-Member Symposium Registration ISJAC Non-Member Student Symposium Registration

For spouse/partner registration, use this option:

ISJAC Spouse/Partner Rate Symposium Registration

Refund Policy: Absolutely no refunds will be given after April 24th, 2024. Prior to April 24th a refund of registration fees may be requested – minus a $50 handling fee.

Partner Hotel Information: Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt

1811 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

Rates: Single $219, Double $249

  • Reservations for attendees can be made in the following ways:
    • Via the  link below, which will go directly to the reservations website and preload the group rate information:
      • Click here to book a reservation at conference rate (while supplies last)
    • Reservations can also be made by calling the toll-free number 1-800-HILTONS and providing your Reservations Group Code– 90T.

Contact: for additional information, contact Chuck Owen (cowen@isjac.org)

By submitting this application, you agree to the following:

I agree to grant ISJAC and its authorized representatives permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation. I further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote MICA, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.