Jazz Voice Fellowship

Deadline to Apply: Friday, February 2, 2024

 

The Jazz Voice Fellowship Competition awards one (1) $10,000 Luminarts Fellowship to a jazz vocalist through the performance of creative and spontaneously improvised jazz music. The competition includes a two-tiered jury process, with recorded preliminary auditions hosted through an online application process and the live finals. Finalists will be selected to perform live for the final round of judging at the Union League Club of Chicago on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

 

Luminarts is committed to ensuring equity within its programs and welcomes applicants, artists, audience members, and supporters regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, religion, sexual orientation, or citizenship status.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 2, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST.

 

***Please note that audition schedules and selection processes are subject to change.***

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

 

· Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the date of applying

· Be currently enrolled in, or have completed, a degree program, conservatory, or other professional artist development program (not necessarily specific to the program for which you are applying)

· Live in IL, IN, MI or WI

· Be available to audition live on the morning of Tuesday, February 13, 2024

· If selected as the winner, be available to perform in-person on the evening of Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Jazz Showcase

 

While applicants may reapply to the Luminarts Fellowship annually, they are only eligible to receive the Fellowship award once. However, once an individual has been designated a Luminarts Fellow they are eligible to apply for Fellow Project Grants through the Foundation. For Project Grant information, please visit our Artist Opportunities page.

 

For questions about eligibility or more information about the Fellowship visit our FAQs page or contact Luminarts at info@luminarts.org or (312) 435-5961,

 

 

Submission and Preliminary Audition Guidelines

 

There are four (4) components that must be submitted as your preliminary audition: 

 

· Three (3) recordings - Two (2) audio samples and one (1) video sample;

· A career statement outlining what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the greater Chicago community;

· The name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference; and

· CV/ Resume.

 

Read below for specific details about each of these components.

 

Audio/Video Samples:

 

Applicants must submit three (3) total music samples - two (2) audio samples and one (1) video sample. 

 

Song Submission Requirements: 

 

· Applicants must submit three contrasting pieces: (1) medium tempo blues, (1) up-tempo standard tune, and (1) ballad. Vocalists should include words and scat improvisation in their performance on the blues and uptempo selection. 

· Contrast in style and tempo are recommended, but it is ultimately up to the applicant to decide how they want to showcase their artistry.

· Please limit file size to 50 MB or less and length 3-5 minutes

 

Recording Tips:

Please provide the highest quality recordings possible so the panel has the best chance to hear you and evaluate your singing. Submissions do not have to be recorded in a professional studio, but they should be good enough to provide a clear representation of your sound.

 

Recordings that feature accompanists are preferred. Recordings with play-along recordings are also acceptable. Ensemble recordings that include the applicant as a soloist may also be used but must be edited down to include only the applicant’s solo sections. 

 

Other Submission Details: 

 

· YouTube link or file uploads are allowed.

· File name should be the title of the piece.

· Files and images may not include your name or other personal information.

· All submissions should be unedited except for purposes of shortening the submission

· Please save all recordings and videos in the event we need you to resubmit any of the materials.

Applicants will be judged on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, ability to swing and creativity of their spontaneous improvisation. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and respect for the melody, and accuracy of improvising chord changes.

 

Career Statement:

 

Your career statement should outline what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the greater Chicago community. Your statement may not exceed 500 words in total.

 

Professional/Educational Reference:

 

Space will be provided on the application to include the name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference. Note that references may not be contacted as part of this process.

 

After Submitting Your Application

 

Once you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting your application, please check your spam/junk filter and settings. If you still have not received a confirmation email immediately after submitting your application, please contact the Foundation.

 

Applicants will be notified by Thursday, February 8, 2024, as to whether they have been selected as a Luminarts Jazz Voice Finalist.

 

Jazz Voice Finals and Audition Guidelines:

 

The final round of auditions will be held at the Union League Club of Chicago on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 10 a.m. – noon. Jurors will evaluate each finalist’s execution of standard jazz practices and their command of the jazz tradition. Finalists will be judged on their vocal quality, musicality, technique, and rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary of their spontaneous improvisation. Songs must be memorized for the performance. 

 

Applicants will also be judged on the originality and creativity of their performance. The judges are looking for applicants’ unique musical “voice” and individual artistic interpretation. This can take many forms, but it may involve an applicant’s personal approach to improvising over standard rhythmic and harmonic progressions, unique way of phrasing and articulating their ideas, and repertoire selections that are meaningful to them.

 

In addition:

 

· Applicants will be given a ten (10) minute time slot 

· Applicants select one (1) blues and one (1) contrasting selection of their choice

· A professional trio will be provided for the audition (do not bring your own accompanist);

· Applicants must bring lead sheets for the accompanist; and

· Applicants should demonstrate knowledge and respect for the melody, and accuracy of improvising chord changes

 

After the Audition

· Musicians will be notified by 12 p.m. CST on the day following their audition whether they have been selected as a winner and Luminarts Fellow.