The International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, in partnership with iJazzMusic, is delighted to announce the due dates and guidelines for the Robert Pronk Jazz Composition Prize. The composer of the winning work will receive a $1,500 USD cash award. The winning arranger will also be offered a publication contract with iJazzMusic for international distribution of their work and a 1-year JazzComposersPresent.com Annual Tier membership.

Eligibility:  The prize is open to all jazz composers regardless of age or nationality.* There is no application fee; but all applicants must be full (paid) members of ISJAC. If you are not already a member, you may join here.

*Please be aware that if the prize recipient is not a U.S. citizen, there may be additional government and transaction fees/taxes withheld.

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 (transposed or concert)
• mp3 of best recording of the work (MIDI realizations will not be accepted)

The composer/arranger’s name and identifying information must be removed from the score and recording before submitting. Those with identifying information still visible will be disqualified.

The prize is open to original big band compositions (5/4/4/GPBD + Optional Percussion). 

Applicants may submit one composition only,  which must have been written and recorded within the last year.   

Works that have previously won ISJAC prizes are not eligible to be submitted again.

Dates:  All applications must be received by January 3, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered. Notification of the winning work will be made in February 2025.

Adjudication: iJazzMusic and ISJAC will each select two highly regarded, professional jazz composers tasked with reviewing all applications and awarding a winning composition. Non-winning compositions may also be offered a publishing contract with iJazzMusic.

ABOUT ROB PRONK

Rob Pronk has written more than 1,200 arrangements for The Netherland’s magnificent Metropole Jazz Orchestra, played trumpet in the band of Kurt Edelhagen, piano with Dexter Gordon, Don Byas, Johnny Griffin, Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolin, Zoot Sim, and Ake Persson, to name just a few. In addition, he wrote arrangements for recordings by Rob McConnell, Pepper Adams, Hank Jones, Bill Perkins, Benny Carter, Buddy DeFranco Clark Terry, and dozens more. Rob Pronk is a musician whose level of recognition falls far short of his many talents and accomplishments.