Guidelines and Eligibility

2024 ISJAC/USF Owen Prize in Jazz Composition

The International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, in tandem with University of South Florida and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Chuck Owen, are delighted to announce the dates and guidelines for the annual Owen Prize offered to young, up-and-coming, jazz composers. The composer of the winning work will receive a $1,500 USD cash award, a $500 USD registration/travel stipend to attend the Jazz Composers’ Symposium, and have their work performed by the resident professional ensemble at the Jazz Composers’ Symposium hosted by Vanderbilt University in May 2024. The winning composer will also be offered a publication contract with iJazzMusic.com for international distribution of their work should they so choose.

Eligibility:  The Prize is open to any student, age 26 or under at the time of submission, currently enrolled full-time in an accredited, degree-granting institution, regardless of major. There is no application fee; but all applicants must be full (paid) members of ISJAC.   To join www.isjac.org  

Submission Guidelines:  Those wishing to apply for this prize should submit the following materials via the portal on the ISJAC website:

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

This year’s competition is open to works written for traditional large jazz ensemble instrumentation (5/4/4, PBGD with standard woodwind doubles). 

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 Oct. 20th, 2023.  Late submissions will not be considered. Notification of the winning work will be made in early December 2023.

Adjudication:  ISJAC will select a panel of highly regarded, professional jazz composers tasked with reviewing all applications and selecting a single work they believe displays exceptional creativity, technical mastery, and musicality.  

Link to Application (Viewable by Members Only) 

The application deadline has passed.