May 13–15, 2027 · University of Northern Colorado
Call for Scores & Papers
Submit work for the 2027 Jazz Composers Summit in Greeley, Colorado. The application portal is now open.
Deadline is Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Paid ISJAC membership is required to apply.
International Jazz Composers Summit
2027 Call for Scores & Papers
Overview
The 2027 Jazz Composers Summit (formerly the International Jazz Composers’ Symposium) brings jazz composers of all ages and nationalities together for an informal exchange of ideas, information, and inspiration.
Presented by the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC) in partnership with the University of Northern Colorado. May 13–15, 2027 in Greeley, Colorado. This year’s Summit includes master artists in concerts, lectures, master classes, panel discussions, research presentations, and industry sessions.
- Portal opens NOW OPENMonday, August 17, 2026
- DeadlineFriday, October 16, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Notificationmid-December 2026
- SummitMay 13–15, 2027 · University of Northern Colorado
Scores
Call for Scores
Composers of all ages and nationalities are invited to submit scores and recordings for featured new music / master class sessions and for ISJAC’s SONIC Awards. Selected works are aired for the open Summit audience, with a projected score whenever possible. Each composer offers brief insights into their compositional concepts.
Applicants may submit only one work and must elect one of three categories:
- First Takes
- New Music Master Class Workshops
- Student/Young Artist Master Class Workshops
First Takes
Open to all. Last three years. May already have been commercially released or published.
New Music Master Class Workshops
Last three years. Must not have been commercially published or released.
Student/Young Artist Master Class Workshops
26 or younger or actively enrolled. Showcased in New Music Workshops and through the Owen Prize.
First Takes
Open to all- Who
- Open to all. A setting for more accomplished composers.
- Work
- Composed within the last three years.
- Publication
- May already have been commercially released or published.
- Feedback
- May be requested from the audience; there are no clinicians.
- Outcome
- Not part of SONIC Award consideration.
New Music Master Class Workshops
SONIC Awards- Who
- Composer/arrangers share new works with Summit attendees.
- Work
- Composed or originally arranged within the last three years.
- Publication
- Must not have been commercially published or released.
- Feedback
- One or more featured master artists.
- Outcome
- Automatically considered for the SONIC Awards.
Student/Young Artist Master Class Workshops
26 or younger- Who
- Applicants 26 or younger or actively enrolled in a university degree program.
- Work
- Big band or combo works.
- Publication
- —
- Feedback
- Jazz composers and educators.
- Outcome
- Not featured on the SONIC Concert because of concert length. Showcased through the Owen Prize.
Call for Papers
Formal sharing- Who
- Scholars and composers of all ages and nationalities.
- Work
- Research related to jazz composition. Presentations limited to 25 minutes, including questions.
- Publication
- Must not have been presented at any other conference. Must not have appeared in print before the Summit.
- Feedback
- Questions included in the 25-minute limit.
- Outcome
- Works already disseminated remain eligible for Poster Sessions.
Poster Sessions
Informal sharing- Who
- Artists and scholars sharing work informally.
- Work
- Compositions, papers, original research, or related work.
- Publication
- Works written more than three years ago are welcome, including published or commercially recorded works.
- Feedback
- Attendees have two hours to walk the hall and talk with the artists and scholars.
- Outcome
- Cork-backed poster board and/or table space.
| First TakesOpen to all | New Music Master Class WorkshopsSONIC Awards | Student/Young Artist Master Class Workshops26 or younger | Call for PapersFormal sharing | Poster SessionsInformal sharing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Open to all. A setting for more accomplished composers. | Composer/arrangers share new works with Summit attendees. | Applicants 26 or younger or actively enrolled in a university degree program. | Scholars and composers of all ages and nationalities. | Artists and scholars sharing work informally. |
| Work | Composed within the last three years. | Composed or originally arranged within the last three years. | Big band or combo works. | Research related to jazz composition. Presentations limited to 25 minutes, including questions. | Compositions, papers, original research, or related work. |
| Publication | May already have been commercially released or published. | Must not have been commercially published or released. | — | Must not have been presented at any other conference. Must not have appeared in print before the Summit. | Works written more than three years ago are welcome, including published or commercially recorded works. |
| Feedback | May be requested from the audience; there are no clinicians. | One or more featured master artists. | Jazz composers and educators. | Questions included in the 25-minute limit. | Attendees have two hours to walk the hall and talk with the artists and scholars. |
| Outcome | Not part of SONIC Award consideration. | Automatically considered for the SONIC Awards. | Not featured on the SONIC Concert because of concert length. Showcased through the Owen Prize. | Works already disseminated remain eligible for Poster Sessions. | Cork-backed poster board and/or table space. |
First Takes
Open to all. A setting for more accomplished composers to share latest projects with the audience — including works not yet released or still in production. Presenters may share scores, recordings, or video and speak to process and new conceptions. Feedback may be requested from the audience; there are no clinicians. Works must have been composed within the last three years and may already have been commercially released or published. This category is not eligible for SONIC Award consideration.
New Music Master Class Workshops
Composer/arrangers share new works with Summit attendees and receive feedback from one or more featured master artists. Works must have been composed or originally arranged within the last three years and must not have been commercially published or released. These applications are automatically considered for the SONIC Awards. Choose the category that best defines the work:
- Large ensemble
- Small ensemble (9 instruments/parts or less)
- Arrangement (large or small ensemble)
Student/Young Artist Master Class Workshops
For applicants 26 or younger or actively enrolled in a university degree program. Students may submit big band or combo works and receive feedback from jazz composers and educators. Student works are not featured on the SONIC Concert because of concert length; they are showcased in New Music Workshops and through the Owen Prize.
What to submit
- A completed application form on the ISJAC website
- A PDF of the score(s)
- An MP3 recording — submit the best recording you can
- A bio of no more than 100 words
Important: Scores and recordings must exclude any information that might identify the composer . Include title of work, instrumentation, and duration.
SONIC Concert
One work in each New Music Workshop category (Large Ensemble, Small Ensemble, and Arrangement) is recognized with the 2027 SONIC “Summit Outstanding New Instrumental Composition/Arrangement” Award and featured on the Summit’s SONIC concert. Composers of selected small-group works may supply their own ensemble. Large ensemble works must be scored for standard jazz big band instrumentation (5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, plus piano, bass, guitar, and drums). Typical doubles are permitted. Only works under 10 minutes are performed in full; longer works may be submitted and will be excerpted.
Research
Call for Papers
The Summit welcomes proposals from scholars and composers of all ages and nationalities for research related to jazz composition: analyses, historical perspectives, the creative process, business/audience models, criticism, and related topics. Presentations are limited to 25 minutes, including questions.
Research papers must not have been presented at any other conference or forum. They may have been submitted for publication, but they must not have appeared in print before the Summit. Composers may present analyses of their own work only if that work has been widely disseminated through recordings and/or publication. Works already disseminated remain eligible for Poster Sessions.
Submit:
- A completed application form on the ISJAC website
- An abstract of 250 words or less
- A bio of no more than 100 words
Informal sharing
Poster Sessions
A flexible way to share compositions, papers, original research, or related work and talk with interested attendees. Selected presenters get a cork-backed poster board and/or table space for a laptop, headset, or print-outs. Attendees have two hours to walk the hall and talk with the artists and scholars.
- Works written more than three years ago are welcome, including published or commercially recorded works
- Papers presented at other conferences will be considered if you include a statement of any prior presentations
Submit:
- A completed application form on the ISJAC website
- A brief description of 250 words or less
- A bio of no more than 100 words
How to apply
Dates, membership, and review
The portal opens Monday, August 17, 2026 . Submissions must be received by Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern .
A panel of composers and scholars reviews submissions. ISJAC notifies presenters by email in mid-December 2026. If multiple works are submitted in Call for Scores, only the latest submission is considered.
Paid membership in ISJAC is required to apply (Student Membership or ISJAC Membership). Community Member access is not enough. Join or renew, then open the application portal.
All participants must register for the Summit. Travel and attendance expenses are the participant’s responsibility.
- 01Join or renewPaid Student or ISJAC membership is required to apply.
- 02Portal opens NOW OPENMonday, August 17, 2026.
- 03Submit one workDeadline Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. If multiple works are submitted in Call for Scores, only the latest submission is considered.
- 04ReviewA panel of composers and scholars reviews submissions. Notification mid-December 2026.
- 05Register for the SummitAll participants must register. Travel and attendance expenses are the participant’s responsibility.
2027 Jazz Composers Summit
Ready to submit?
Apply with a paid Student or ISJAC membership. Read the dates above, then open the portal.