You are on page 1of 3

35th

Annual Student Music Awards


OFFICIAL RULES

HOW TO ENTER STEP 1. Carefully read the rules and conditions of the DOWNBEAT Student Music Awards. STEP 2. After November 1, we will begin to accept entries online. This is a new process aimed at streamlining entry system. When you are ready to post your entry, simply go to downbeat.com/sma to begin the process.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE NO LATER THAN DEC. 31, 2011.

35th Annual Student Music Awards OFFICIAL RULES


ELIGIBILITY
1. Student recordings made after Jan. 1, 2011, and before Dec. 31, 2011. 2. 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. 3. Student recordings engineered by professional personnel are eligible in all categories except engineering (11 & 12). 4. 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. 5. Competition is not open to student musicians engaged in full-time professional work. 6. Tracks on which guests perform are not eligible, except in original composition (8 & 9), jazz arrangement (10) and engineered recording (11 & 12) categories.

RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. All entries must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2011. 2. All students must be enrolled in the same school for group entries (categories 2, 3, 5, 7). 3. 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. 6. Composition entries (categories 8 & 9) must include a recording on CD and a copy of full score as a 8.5 x 11 pdf 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 pdf 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. label. 10. Competition is not open to student musicians engaged in full-time professional work. 11. Please include a color 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.

JUDGING

1. 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. 2. Judging criteria are similar to those used by DOWNBEAT in its CD reviews: musicianship, creativity, improvisation, technique, sound quality and balance, excitement, authority, etc. 3. If, in the opinion of the judges, there is no entry in a category that meets DOWNBEAT standards, then that category is

4. 5. 6. 7.

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 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 2012 and the official release date of winners is April 27,, 2012. All participating schools/teachers will receive copies of the June Issue in early May. All winners will be notified before publication of the June 2012 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.

CATEGORIES

Below are the categories and requirements for this years Student Music Awards. If you have any questions, contact Sue Mahal, sma@downbeat.com. A separate application must be submitted for each category. Only 1 entry per category per person or group will be accepted.


1. Jazz Soloist 5. Instrumental or Vocal 2 Selections or 10 Minutes 2. Jazz Group/Combo (3-9 musicians) 6. Instrumental or Vocal 2 Selections or 15 Minutes 3. Large Jazz Ensemble (10+ musicians) 7. Instrumental or Vocal 3 Selections or 20 Minutes 4. Classical Soloist 8. Instrumental or Vocal 2 Selections or 20 Minutes 9. Original Composition Lead Sheet Includes original melody and chords but not orchestrated Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation 10. Original Composition Orchestrated Work Includes original melody and chords and is orchestrated Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation 11. Jazz Arrangement Do not submit original student compositions in this category Must include score and can be written for any instrumentation 12. Engineered Live Recording Must be recorded outside of a studio Minimum of 20 Minutes Any musical style or instrumentation 13. Engineered Studio Recording Must be recorded inside a studio Minimum of 20 Minutes Any musical style or instrumentation Classical Group (2+ musicians) Instrumental or Vocal 3 Selections or 30 Minutes Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist Instrumental or Vocal 2 Selections or 10 Minutes Blues/Pop/Rock Group (2+ musicians) Instrumental or Vocal 3 Selections or 20 Minutes Latin Group (2+ musicians) Instrumental or Vocal 3 Selections or 20 Minutes

You might also like