34th Annual Student Music Awards

O F F I C I A L A P P L I CAT I O N

HOW TO ENTER
STEP 1. Carefully read the rules and conditions of the DOWNBEAT Student Music Awards. STEP 2. Fill out this application to enter. STEP 3. Make a copy of the completed application for yourself.

Mail the original application with CD recording to: DownBeat Student Music Awards Attn: Kelly Grosser 102 N. Haven Road Elmhurst, IL 60126
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN DEC. 15, 2010.

ELIGIBILITY
1. 2. Student recordings made after Jan. 1, 2010, and before Dec. 15, 2010. Recordings made by any student/group enrolled worldwide in: A. Junior High/Middle School: student(s) must be in grades 6-8 or equivalent B. High School: student(s) must be in grades 9-12 or equivalent C. College or University: student(s) must be registered full time at Undergraduate or Graduate level. Student recordings engineered by professional personnel are eligible in all categories except engineering (11 & 12). Pitch correction is not allowed on submissions to the SMAs. Entries found to be using pitch correction will be disqualified. Live recordings are preferred. Studio Recordings will be accepted, but please use minimal production techniques, unless entry is in engineering categories 11 & 12. Competition is not open to student musicians engaged in full-time professional work. Tracks on which guests perform are not eligible, except in original composition (8 & 9), jazz arrangement (10) and engineered recording (11 & 12) categories. All CD recordings must be submitted void of identification. Please see the example on how to label entries on page 5.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. 2. 3. All entries must be postmarked no later than December 15, 2010. All students must be enrolled in the same school for group entries (categories 2, 3, 5, 7). One copy of the student/group recording and application must be submitted for each category the student/group enters. Likewise, if the same tracks are being entered in different categories, or if more than one soloist on the tracks is entering the soloist category, the appropriate number of recordings and applications must be submitted (one CD and application per soloist and category). 4. There is no limit to the number of categories any individual or ensemble may enter. Each student/group can only submit one entry in each category. 5. Recordings must be submitted on CD and in a CD case. Please be sure to label the CD and the CD case. Please see the example on how to label entries on page 5. 6. Composition entries (categories 8 & 9) must include a recording on CD and a copy of full score on 8.5 x 11 paper or fold to this size. Also include notice of copyright or copy of signed application for copyright. To ensure anonymity, do not include names of composer and school on the score. The composition does not need to be recorded by a student ensemble. 7. Arrangement entries (category 10) must include a recording on CD and a copy of full score on 8.5 x 11 paper or fold to this size. To ensure anonymity, do not include names of composer and school on the score. The arrangement does not need to be recorded by a student ensemble. 8. Engineering entries (category 11 & 12) must include a list of equipment used. Please type and include equipment list in CD case or on CD label. 9. Please make a copy of all submissions. After competition is over, all materials will be destroyed. ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS. 10. Competition is not open to student musicians engaged in full-time professional work. 11. Please include a color photo print or hi-res digital image of group or individual. Label photo with group name or individual student name. Send pictures to sma@downbeat.com via email or submit on CD with application.

JUDGING
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Judgments are made solely on the basis of ability demonstrated on the candidate recordings. Recordings are judged blind, that is, they are known to the judges only by a code number. Judging criteria are similar to those used by DOWNBEAT in its CD reviews: musicianship, creativity, improvisation, technique, sound quality and balance, excitement, authority, etc. If, in the opinion of the judges, there is no entry in a category that meets DOWNBEAT standards, then that category is declared no contest with no awards made. The judges may also establish a new category if the nature of the entries warrants the addition. The judges are professional musicians and educators. Applicants will be notified via email from sma@downbeat.com once their entry is received. Please allow at least 2 weeks for the application to be processed. If entering in a group category (2, 3, 5, 8), please indicate a group leader on the personnel form. If a leader is not indicated, an email will be sent to the sponsoring teacher. Official Results will be published in the June Issue in 2011 and the official release date of winners is May 1st 2011. All participating schools/teachers will receive copies of the June Issue in early May. All winners will be notified before publication of the June 2011 Issue. They will not be told which award they won, but will be able to publicize the fact that their school (or student) won an SMA and state that the winners will be published in the June 2011 Issue.

Name _________________________________________________________________ (soloist, group, composer, arranger or engineer)

Select a category below:

*A separate application must be submitted for each category. *Only 1 entry per category per person will be accepted.

! 1. Jazz Soloist
[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 2 Selections or 10 Minutes

! 7. Blues/Pop/Rock Group (2+ musicians)

[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 3 Selections or 20 Minutes

! 2. Jazz Group/Combo (2-9 musicians)

[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 2 Selections or 15 Minutes

! 8. Original Composition Lead Sheet

" " Includes original melody and chords but not orchestrated Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation

! 3. Large Jazz Ensemble (10+ musicians)

[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 3 Selections or 20 Minutes

! 9. Original Composition Orchestrated Work

" " Includes original melody and chords and is orchestrated Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation

! 4. Classical Soloist
[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 2 Selections or 20 Minutes

! 10. Jazz Arrangement

" " Do not submit original student compositions in this category Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation

! 5. Classical Group (2+ musicians)

[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 3 Selections or 30 Minutes

! 11. Engineered Live Recording

" " " Must be recorded outside of a studio Minimum of 20 Minutes Any musical style or instrumentation

! 6. Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist
[ ] Instrumental [ ] Vocal " 2 Selections or 10 Minutes

! 12. Engineered Studio Recording

" " " Must be recorded inside a studio Minimum of 20 Minutes Any musical style or instrumentation

Please select the division for your school: ! Junior High School or Middle School
I confirm that all of the students listed on the enclosed application were within the grades 6-8 (or equivalent) when the recording session took place on __________________________ (list date between 1/1/10 and 12/15/10) and the students did perform as stipulated.

! High School
I confirm that all of the students listed on the enclosed application were within the grades 9-12 when the recording session took place on __________________________ (list date between 1/1/10and 12/15/10) and the students did perform as stipulated.

! Performing Arts High School

I confirm that all of the students listed on the enclosed application were within the grades 9-12 when the recording sessions took place on __________________________ (list date between 1/1/10 and 12/15/10) and the students did perform as stipulated.

! College or University- Undergraduate Level

I confirm that all of the students listed on the enclosed application were enrolled as Undergraduate Level students when the recording sessions took place on __________________________ (list date between 1/1/10 and 12/15/10 and the students did perform as stipulated. *All Students must be enrolled at the Undergraduate level.

! College or University- Graduate Level

I confirm that the students listed on the enclosed application were enrolled as Graduate level students when the recording sessions took place on __________________________ (list date between 1/1/10 and 12/15/10) and the students did perform as stipulated. *If one student is enrolled as a Graduate Student, the application will be judged at the Graduate Level. Sponsoring Educator* ______________________________________*this name will appear in the magazine if selected as a winner. Signature ____________________________________ School Name __________________________________ Title [ ] Private Educator [ ] School Educator [ ] Other, Please specify ___________________________________ Phone _________________________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________________ School Mailing Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_________________________________________________________________Country_____________________________________________________ 3

Name _________________________________________________________________ (soloist, group, composer, arranger or engineer)

Personnel Information:
*For larger groups, a list or spreadsheet can be submitted. *Please indicate a group leader as the main contact person. *For soloist entries, please only include information for the soloist. *Please type or print legibly. Group Leader/Soloist Name ____________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________ *Phone and e-mail needed for editorial purposes. *If you are not able to release all of the information provided, please include: Name, Grade, Birth date, Instrument and School Address. *Please make copies of this sheet as needed. Name ____________________________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________ Birth date ___________________________Grade ________________ Instrument(s) _______________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________

CD Label Example
Please label BOTH CD and CASE like the example below. DO NOT list School Name, Ensemble Name, or Soloist Name Only Solo Categories (1, 4, & 6) must list st ar t times for soloists.

Track 1- Title Solo #1 Instrument & Solo Start Time

*(only list for solo categories 1,4,6)

XX:XX

Example
#1 So What Solos: Trumpet @ 1:35 #2 Nows the Time Solos: Trumpet @ 1:52 3:46 4:30

Check List for 2010-2011 Student Music Award Applicants

! Application
*Submit a separate application for each category

! Personnel Page
*Indicate a group leader as main contact

! CD Labeled as example above ! Engineering Equipment List

*Categories 11 & 12 only (Please type and include in CD case or on CD label.)

! Score of Composition/Arrangement
*Categories 8, 9 & 10 only (Please submit on 8.5 x 11 paper or fold to this size.)

! Photo
*Must be Hi-Resolution (300 dpi, if digital) (Please submit on CD and label with Student/Group Name and Category or e-mail file to sma@downbeat.com)

Send above materials to: DownBeat Student Music Awards Attn: Kelly Grosser 102 N. Haven Road Elmhurst, IL 60126 ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN DEC. 15, 2010.