2022 ISJAC/USF Prize for Emerging Black Composers 

The International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, in tandem with University of South Florida, is delighted to announce the dates and guidelines for the inaugural “Prize for Emerging Black Composers” offered to young, up-and-coming composers of color.  The composer of the winning work will receive a $1,000 cash award along with a travel allowance of $500 towards attendance at ISJAC’s 2022 “Jazz Composers’ Symposium” in Austin, TX where it will be performed before an audience of distinguished jazz composers from throughout the world.  The winning composer will also be offered a publication contract with iJazz.com for international distribution of their work should they so choose.

Eligibility: The competition is restricted to those composers age 32 or younger at the time of submission of materials.  

Submission Guidelines: Those wishing to apply for this prize must be members of ISJAC and submit the following materials via the portal on the ISJAC website www.isjac.org:

  • Application Form 
  • Full score in PDF format 
  • Mp3 of best recording of the work

The competition is open to works for any instrumentation.   However, if selected as the winner, a non-traditional work using instruments, beyond those found in a traditional jazz combo or big band, may not be able to be performed.  

Applicants may submit one work only (either an original composition or arrangement) which must have been written within the last two years. 

Dates: All applications must be received by Nov.4th, 2021 11:59PM.  Late submissions will not be considered.  Notification of the winning work will be made in early December, 2021.

Adjudication:

ISJAC will select a panel of highly regarded, professional jazz composers tasked with reviewing all applications and selecting a single candidate whose work displays exceptional creativity, musicality, and promise of furthering the development of the body of work of other great Black jazz composers.

Thank you for your submissions.

Go To The 2021 Emerging Black Composers Prize Application