DCJazzPrix Application | DC Jazz Festival

DCJazzPrix™ Application

DCJazzPrix™ International Band Competition:

DCJazzPrix is an annual international band competition that provides a unique professional and adjudication platform for emerging bands, outside of the traditional academic and commercial arenas. Unlike other performance-based contests, DCJazzPrix puts the emphasis on the essential interactions between band members and recognizes these relationships as the core pursuit of the jazz aesthetic. Young and emerging jazz bands from around are encouraged to apply for our premier global completion. DCJazzPrix applicants will have their music heard by a prestigious jury of jazz luminaries. Three finalist bands will be selected to travel to compete at the DCJazzPrix Finals to Washington, DC before an enthusiastic crowd of jazz fans during the annual DC JazzFest. The winning band will receive a $15,000 grand prize, and a yearlong association with the DC Jazz Festival that includes customized business development and career impact services, extensive publicity training, and a highly visible 2025 DC JazzFest engagement with commensurate compensation.

The application closes on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

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Eligibility

Repertoire: Open
Age: band members must be at least 18 years old, but not older than 45, as of April 1, 2025
Band Size: 2-9 instrumental or vocal members
Reach: International applicants accepted
Bands may combine any instrumentation including conventional jazz strings and winds formats and/or percussion, voice, and technology
Band stability is stressed: Band personnel of the band may not change once the application is submitted
Band must be a formed and functioning ensemble for at least three years prior to time of application; groups may not be established with the purpose of competing in the DCJazzPrix
Applicant bands may be affiliated or housed within music school departments, or be categorized as "stand-alone/self-contained" and/or professionally emerging ensembles
Each member is required to compete in Washington, DC. Finalists are responsible for travel to Washington, DC. Each band will receive a travel stipend of $500.00 (maximum). Hotel rooms will be provided by DC Jazz Festival.

Work Sample Audio/Video Requirements

Accepted streaming platforms (ONLY): YouTube, SoundCloud, BandCamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or Audiomack. Usage of incorrect formats will automatically disqualify an application.
Include only one work sample per link (unless requested otherwise); and list with each the composition’s title, composer’s name, arranger’s name, band members' names, track length, and date of recording.
In all, submit no more than thirty minutes of total music.
Eligible samples must represent performances between September 1, 2021 and December 31, 2024, and must reflect the applicant band in its current personnel incarnation.
The jury must be able to evaluate all members of the group. Therefore, it is recommended that files provide evidence of the collective ensemble, as well as each member’s performance throughout all samples.
Extensive editing can detract from juror viewing, and is strongly discouraged.

Review Criteria

A prestigious jury will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

Artistic Excellence:

As demonstrated by the work samples submitted, and
The band’s vision statement and demonstrated record of emerging professional achievement as a band

Artistic Merit:

The perceived significance of the band’s participation in DCJazzPrix as it relates to the band’s professional experience level and trajectory, and
The value of a year-long association with DC JazzFest as a significant catalyst for the band to: sustain its membership, apply itself to business acumen support, and create additional performance and career opportunities

Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. There is a $29 fee per band entry.

DCJazzPrix™ Application

Name of Band

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

Zip Code

1. List Each Band Member (Full Name and Instrument)

2. Upload Photo of Band (does not have to be professional)

3. In its current iteration, how long has this band existed? (In order to be eligible for this competition, bands must have existed in their current iteration for at least 3 years prior to the submission of this application with activity February 2020 through February 2023)

4. List at least 3 demonstrative examples of your band’s lineup (include links to past billings, liner notes, photos, and any professional engagements).

5. List the dates, venues and locations of these engagements and the nature of the event (performance, concert, recital, festival, club gig, gala, etc).

Please add up to three supporting materials that provide documentation of the events listed above

Upload File

6. Provide at least 3 links to videos or press coverage from the last three years that showcases your current band’s artistic merit (recordings, performances, rehearsal, footage, articles/ press/media coverage). Provide a detailed description of each link provided including: date, venue, publication, or author (if applicable) and any other relevant information.

7. Provide links to music the band has released to date in its current iteration (albums, EPs, or singles).

8. Provide a brief description of the band’s musical vision, choice of repertoire, and future performance and/or recording goals. Add answer here.

9. What does the band hope to gain from performing at the DC Jazz Festival and potentially being named the DCJazzPrix Winner?

10. If your band wins, how would you spend the earnings?

11. What are the band's current professional development needs and desires?

12. Which social media and streaming platforms does the band use to promote itself and reach new fans, audiences, and/or secure potential engagements? Please list with links.

Do you currently have label representation?

Yes

If yes, please list here

13. How did you hear about the DCJazzPrix International Band Competition?

Thanks for submitting! There is a $29 fee per band entry. Please make payment by clicking on the box below and making a donation. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Click here to pay your application fee