1. New Jazz Works: Commissioning and Ensemble Development
Deadline: March 9, 2012
Notification: June 2012

2. What makes a strong New Jazz Works application?
A well-prepared CD-R Work Sample
A project description that clearly and simply describes your new work idea 

3. Let’s help you learn about New Jazz Works
be sure you’ve met the eligibility requirements
strategize on presenting your best audio work sample and written application
see how the panel process works
get grant savvy with a few closing tips

4. What is New Jazz Works?
New Jazz Works is a grant program that is a component of the Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project. Made possible by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

5. New Jazz Works provides support to professional U. S
New Jazz Works provides support to professional U. S. Jazz ensembles for
the creation and performance of a new work
activities that extend the life of the work
business skill enrichment for ensemble leader
free registration and travel subsidy to a CMA national conference

6. New Jazz Works gives priority to projects that
represent new creative territory or
significant growth for the bandleader/ensemble.

7. 7 Steps to Ensemble Eligibility

8. An ensemble is eligible if it
is a professional composer-led or collective jazz ensemble
is based in the U.S. or its territories, and the leader is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
consists of 2–10 musicians

9. An ensemble is eligible if it
includes improvisation as an integral part of its composition and performance
is a CMA Organization-level member
has no overdue reports or financial obligations to CMA
has waited 12 months from completion of a previous New Jazz Works grant

10. An ensemble may apply in either
New Jazz Works or
Classical Commissioning programs,
But not both.
Similarly, a composer
may appear on only one application to either program (not both), and
may not have any outstanding obligations to CMA.

11. The Composer
may be either a performing member of the ensemble or a guest
is understood to be an individual, not a group, and must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.

12. The Four Components of New Jazz Works

13. I. Core: Creation and Presentation
The grant funds
the creation of a new work
the work’s world premiere
one additional performance
These three requirements must be completed within the first eighteen months of receiving the grant.

14. Core provides up to $16,000 for the
composer fee of $6,000, and
$1,000 per musician for rehearsing and performing the work within the Core period

15. II. Continued Life supports the ensemble with up to $7,500 for activities such as
additional concerts
touring
open rehearsals
master classes
clinics
school and community visits
residencies
conference showcasing
promotion
self-presenting
recording
Activities may take place in the U.S. or abroad.

16. III. Better Business supports the ensemble leader with up to $3,000 for activities
Such as
attending booking conferences
meeting with prospective presenters
participating in conferences (service organization, academic, or education)
taking classes
working with mentors and consultants

17. CMA National Conference
complimentary registration for the ensemble leader to attend one CMA National Conference during the grant period.
Travel/hotel subsidies are available for ensemble leaders who live more than 200 miles from New York City

18. Two Parts to the Application
Audio-CD-R work sample
Written- application form and supplementals

19. CD-R Work Sample Tips
Take time to prepare the best CD-R Work Sample possible.
The listening sample is the first element of your application that the panel reviews.
The panel listens to 3-5 minutes of a work sample and does not know the identity of the ensemble during the audio review.
The panel first listens to tracks 1 and 2 to evaluate the ensemble.
If the application moves to the next round, the panel will evaluate the composer sample on track 3.

20. The CD-R Work Sample must be in CD-R format
may contain edited recordings of studio or live performances and of published and/or commercially released music
tracks 1 and 2 must feature up to 5 minutes of music performed by the applicant ensemble or a majority of its members.
track 3 must feature up to 5 minutes of one work by the composer. The performers need not be the applicant ensemble. Include a printed score, lead sheet, or other graphic representation relating to this work.

21. Key parts to the written application and the order in which they are reviewed
CD-R work sample sheet (referred to during full listening review)
project description (referred to during composer listening review)
ensemble and composer descriptions (read in final panel round)
score (referred to in final panel round)

22. Project Description
Put your artistic ideas into words. Some suggestions:
why are you writing this work now?
what is your inspiration for the work?
how is this new creative territory for you?
how will this new work help your ensemble grow artistically?
describe its structure
if applicable, why is the ensemble planning to work with guest musicians?

23. 7 Steps to Complete Your Application
1 stapled application form with an original signature
8 additional copies of the stapled application
1 CD-R Work Sample
1 printed score, lead sheet, or other graphic representation relating to the work on Track 3 of the CD-R Work Sample

24. If working with a guest composer, 1 copy of the Letter of Intent between ensemble and composer
1 document verifying the U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status of the ensemble leader, or ensemble’s 501(c)(3) designations as described in the guidelines
1 document verifying the U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status of the composer, if different from the band leader

25. Panel Notes
The panel is made up of five jazz musicians who meet for three days in New York.
CMA uses a simple scoring system of 10 (excellent), 4 (good to very good), 1 (non-competitive).
The panel moves a select number of applications from one round to the next.
In the final round, they choose approximately 10 grantees.

26. CD-R Work Sample review criteria
artistic excellence and distinctiveness as an indicator of the leader’s ability to shape a small jazz ensemble
composer’s skill and originality in composing/arranging chamber jazz music

27. Written application review criteria
originality of the proposed work
degree to which the project represents a new direction and/or significant growth for the ensemble

28. Closing Tips
The panel reviews your audio first, and your text second (if your application moves to this round).
Present a strong CD-R Work Sample. This determines if your application will move through the two listening rounds to the overall review in Round 3.
In your written application, be sure to answer the questions asked. Do not repeat yourself from one question to another.
Remember that musicians review your application. Write as if you are speaking to another musician about a new musical idea of yours.

29. What is Jazz?
CMA leaves that up to the applicant to determine and the panel to evaluate.
Good luck with your application!

30. Questions, concerns? Contact
Jeanette Vuocolo, program director, CMA Jazz, (212) , ext. 17
For membership contact
Adam Reifsteck, membership manager, (212) , ext. 28