Last updated 29.07.2020
Who is eligible to apply to the schemes?
Jazz South Radar Commissions – applications are welcome from composers at all career stages who are based permanently in the Jazz South region
Jazz South Breakthrough Commissions – applications are welcome from composers within their first five years of professional experience who are based permanently in the Jazz South region, or from other organisations and individuals such as promoters, clubs, festivals, venues, curators, producers, who may wish to promote the commission through a digital broadcast from a venue in the Jazz South region
Where is the Jazz South region?
We cover the south west and south east of England outside of London. You can see a map and full list of local authorities here.
Which scheme should I choose?
These are the key differences between the two commissioning schemes:
Jazz South Radar Commissions
- Aimed at composers from all career stages who are based permanently in the Jazz South region
- 10 awards made
- Total awards of up to £1,250 per commission
- Pieces should be between 12-15 minutes
- Pieces should be for no more than three performers
- Writing period will be between September – October 2020
- Composers and performers will need to be available for audio and video recording, and online broadcast with dates and locations to be confirmed between October – December 2020
Jazz South Breakthrough Commissions
- Aimed at composers within the first five years of professional experience who are based permanently in the Jazz South region
- 4 awards made
- Total awards of up to £3,000 per commission
- Pieces should be a minimum of 12 minutes
- Pieces may be for any size of ensemble (note that sustainability of future performing and touring will be taken into account)
- Writing period will be between September to December 2020
- Composers and performers will need to be available for audio and video recording, and online broadcast with dates and locations to be confirmed between January – February 2021
- Composers will receive a package of mentoring support
Can I apply to both schemes
No, the schemes are sufficiently different. Applicants should only apply to one scheme and decide which best suits their eligibility and circumstances guided by the criteria. Individuals are allowed to be a part of someone else’s project (i.e. as a performer, creative collaborator or promoter) but will not be eligible to be the lead composer in two applications.
How will the scheme adhere to guidance and restrictions regarding Covid-19?
The health and safety of our staff and anyone involved in our projects is of utmost priority. Jazz South will strictly adhere to national government guidelines in working with composers, musicians, other artist venues, locations and outside agencies, and we will adapt our project plans in response to any changes in recommendations and requirements.
I can’t decide if I am an ‘early career’ artist
This is not specified by age, we know that people change career or direction at different points. We have defined ‘early career’ as an artist within their first five professional years. In the application form we ask about the track record of the composer to create and manage original
writing projects, and to submit two online samples of original work.
Can my project be for a collaborative composition?
Yes it can. For Radar Commissions one person will need to be the named applicant but in the commission and collaborator sections you can outline how the collaboration will work. You can include sample examples of work for each collaborator. There is one commission fee of £500 and a further three ‘performer’ fees of £250 per person. For Breakthrough Commissions one person needs to be named as the lead composer but in the commission and collaborator sections you can outline how the collaboration will work. You can include sample examples of work for each collaborator. You are able to outline how commission and collaborator fees are allocated in the budget section.
How long can a commission piece be?
For Radar Commissions pieces should be 12-15 minutes and can be made up of a number of shorter movements, sections, related compositions or form one longer piece. For Breakthrough Commissions pieces should be a minimum of 12-15 minutes and can be made up of a number of shorter movements, sections, related compositions or form one longer piece.
Can the composition be improvisational?
Yes, we outline in the guidelines that if proposals include predominantly freely improvised or spontaneously composed work, there must be clear plans outlining preparations for a successful performance.
I want to try something different to past samples of my work. Would a demonstration be welcome in my composer video statement?
This would be absolutely fine – we just ask that you do not exceed three minutes for a video statement.
Can I submit a written AND video composer statement?
Please choose one approach that you find best to communicate your statement.
Who should be a referee and how long should the referee statement be?
We suggest that you choose someone who you believe will really support you because they have experience of your work and are able to recommend your experience to deliver the project. Ideally this should be someone who works within the industry as a promoter, producer, programmer, artist or educator (for example). It should NOT be someone involved as a creative collaborator or band member in your composition. The statement does not need to be long, but there are no limitations on space.
I have my own studio facilities – could I record my composition there?
We will discuss the best way to record and broadcast each commission with the selected composers.
Will I own the copyright to my commission?
Yes, each composer will own the copyright to their commission. The films and broadcasts will remain on Jazz South digital platforms but may be linked and embedded on each composer’s own platforms to be used as promotional material.
How would an individual or organisation who is not the composer be involved in a Breakthrough Commission?
We welcome applications by promoters, clubs, festivals, venues, curators or producers, who wish to support a Breakthrough Commission. We will discuss with applicants how they can be involved or acknowledged, whether this be a recording in an associated venue, or location, or credit/involvement through another means via the digital broadcast.
I have been permanently resident in the Jazz South region but undertaken a period of study outside the region and am not sure where I will base myself next. Am I eligible to apply?
If you have just finished studying or working elsewhere you are eligible to apply. In the contact details we ask for the address of your permanent residence in the Jazz South region and to note if you have been studying/working elsewhere.
Do all collaborators and performers need to be permanently resident in the Jazz South region?
No, only the applicant composer for Radar Commissions and the commissioned composer for Breakthrough Commissions need to be permanently resident in the Jazz South region. Other performers/collaborators may be based elsewhere.
If one of my band members or collaborators becomes unavailable for the broadcast due to illness or other good reason, may I use a dep?
Please see an earlier FAQ referring to health and safety of our staff and anyone involved in our projects with regard to Covid-19 and changes in regulations. Should a member of a commission project become ill or unavailable we will discuss the best approach to take in order to complete the commission, recording and broadcast.
Could my piece be planned to only ever be performed online?
We anticipated that the material composed for both Radar Commissions and Breakthrough Commissions would generate inspiration for future live performances, however, the creative concept and idea is up to each composer.
I have future bookings for my band – can I talk about these as part of my track record?
Yes, you might want to think about the kind of promoter, venue or event that you have been booked for, and how this demonstrates your track record and development as an artist.
If you are have any further questions please contact Tamsin Mendelsohn, manager@jazzsouth.org.uk
