Generations International Competition 2009: Entry Rules and Guidelines
Posted Fri, 11/14/2008 - 1:56pm
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DOWNLOADS
- Official Rules and Guidelines
- Combo Entry Form
- Combo Musician Entry Form
- Press Release
- Competition Flyer
DESCRIPTION
The International Center for the Arts' Generations International Competition awards a unique, career‐entry fellowship to an established jazz combo of exceptional promise. The winning combo receives a cash stipend and a year‐long residency at San Francisco State University under the
guidance of master jazz musicians including saxophonist Eric Alexander, percussionist Jimmy Cobb, bassist Ray Drummond and saxophonist Andrew Speight, the program’s artistic director.
In addition to invaluable musical instruction, Fellowship winners receive a range of professional benefits including advanced career training plus performance and recording opportunities. Additional members of the 2009 Generations mentorship ensemble will be named soon.
The competition is open to combos from around the world comprised of four to seven outstanding jazz instrumentalists, who vie for the opportunity to become Generations fellows. Selected combos must demonstrate an exceptional level of artistic accomplishment, cohesive ensemble work and the ability to benefit from a Generations fellowship experience.
Finalist combos will be invited to San Francisco State University in May 2009 for a residency with the Generations mentors that will culminate in a "Battle of the Combos" public performance. After this performance, one combo will be selected as the 2009 competition winner and be invited to come to San Francisco in fall 2009 to begin the one‐year fellowship residency.
ELIGIBILITY
- All nationalities are welcome to apply
- The mean age of a combo’s members must be 30 years of age or younger as of March 23,
2009: To calculate your combo’s mean age, delete the highest age and lowest age, add the
ages of the remaining members of your combo, and divide that total by the number of
individuals whose ages you add together. For example: if the ages of your combo’s
members are 34, 32, 19, 26, and 28, you would delete the 34 and 19 (highest and lowest)
and find the average of the remaining ages. (32 + 26 + 28 = 86; 86 / 3 = 28.7) - Combo members should have completed a Bachelors degree or have equivalent training
and experience - Combos must include at least four (4) but no more than seven (7) members
- Only instrumental combos may apply (vocalists are not included in this competition)
COMPETITION ENTRY AND DEADLINE
Entry Deadline: A completed Generations International Competition entry, which includes all
components defined below, must be received by the International Center for the Arts before 6:00
p.m. Pacific Standard Time March 23, 2009. Late applications will not be accepted. Receipt of
entries will be confirmed via email from the ICA.
A completed entry consists of the following components:
- Combo entry information form
- Personal information forms for each combo member
- Photocopy or PDF of each combo member’s passport, including photo
- Digital photograph of the combo
- CD containing combo performances of required repertoire. Be sure to label your CD clearly
with combo name/contact and each selection title. - Non‐refundable COMBO entry fee in the amount of US $50 (Check or Money Order: Non‐US
entrants must submit a money order or make a wire transfer; details upon request)
REQUIRED ENTRY REPERTOIRE
Repertoire includes both required and optional selections. Please be sure that your entry MP3
performance recording includes all three categories.
Category 1
Perform your choice of the following medium tempo Blues:
- Straight No Chaser by Thelonious Monk
- Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker
- Bag's Groove by Milt Jackson
Category 2
Perform your choice from the following jazz standards:
- Moment's Notice by John Coltrane
- Stablemates by Benny Golson
- Milestones (old version) by Miles Davis
- Yes or No by Wayne Shorter
- Inner Urge by Joe Henderson
Category 3
Combo choice ‐‐ if you have an original, you may include it here; if not, perform a selection that
contrasts with Categories 1 and 2.
PERFORMANCE and RECORDING GUIDELINES
We encourage combos to make the best quality audio recording possible given existing resources.
The judges allow for variances in each combo's access to recording equipment and audio
engineering.
Performances will be judged on the basis of the quality of combo's ensemble, improvisation, and
musicianship. Recordings should be made "live," without editing and/or overdubbing. The
emphasis is on your combo's ability to communicate as a high‐performance ensemble.
Each recorded selection must be no more than about 5 minutes in length and must include
improvisation by more than one member of the combo.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE/MILESTONES
Entry Deadline: March 23, 2009
Finalists Notified: April 3, 2009
All combos will be notified of finalist combos, and the information will be posted on the
Generations website: ica.sfsu.edu/generations.
Selection of finalists is determined by the International Center for the Arts (ICA).
The International Center for the Arts is solely responsible for selecting both the number and
specific finalist combos. The number of finalist combos selected is based on the ICA's judgment of
artistry and professional potential and not on a predetermined number of combos.
Finalist combos must be able to qualify for U.S. visas and must be available both to participate in
the May 3‐10 residency and performance in San Francisco and the 2009/2010 fellowship residency.
In the event that a finalist combo is unable or chooses not to participate in the May 2009 residency
or the Generations Fellowship residency, the ICA may, at its sole discretion, elect to invite an
alternate combo to take its place.
Finalist Residency & Performance: May 3‐10, 2009 (in San Francisco)
Finalist combos will be invited to San Francisco for an all‐expenses‐paid, week‐long residency and
coaching workshop with the Generations Mentor Combo. Details will be discussed individually with
finalist combos. Coaching will be provided between May 3 and May 10 at San Francisco State
University.
Finalist combos will compete in a "Battle of the Combos" public performance in San Francisco
during the week of May 4, 2009. The 2009 Generations Fellowship Combo will be announced at the
conclusion of the performance.
GENERATIONS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PRIZES
Winning Combo receives a Fellowship Residency in San Francisco, beginning September 2009.
The Fellowship includes:
- $7,500 stipend per musician
- Roundtrip transportation from combo HQ
- Coaching with Generations Mentor Band
- Performance opportunities
- Recording session
- Professional promotion package
- Career development advice and support
At the discretion of the Generations judges and the International Center for the Arts, additional
prizes may be awarded to combos and/or individual musicians.
OTHER TERMS & CONDITIONS
Generations International Competition entrants, individually and as a combo, authorize the
International Center for the Arts at San Francisco State University to publicize their participation in
the competition, including photographic and video images, and further give permission individually
and as a combo, without compensation or claim to any additional fees, to record and, at ICA’s
option, to broadcast, Webcast or make available as streaming media, Generations International
Competition performance(s) during and following the conclusion of the Competition.
Applications, including recordings, will not be returned.
Winners are responsible for all federal, state, local taxes on prizes.
ENTRY CHECKLIST
All items below must be submitted to complete the entry process:
- Combo entry information form
- Personal information forms for each combo member
- Photocopy or PDF of each combo member’s passport, including photo
- A digital photograph of the combo
- CD containing combo performances of required repertoire: be sure to label your CD clearly
with combo name/contact and each selection title - Non‐refundable COMBO entry fee in the amount of US $50 (Check or Money Order: Non‐US
entrants must submit a money order or make a wire transfer; details upon request)
CONTACT
For additional information and assistance please contact:
Melinda B. Zarrett
E-mail: melindaz@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-6530
