2027 National Arts Competition Application Requirements

Jazz – Percussion

Please follow the requirements as closely as possible. Failure to comply with the requirements may make your application ineligible for an award.  

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(Though a percussion instrument, Vibraphone should follow Instrumental requirements.)

Application Requirements

Each selection should be three (3) to five (5) minutes in length. All should be played in combo format (minimum: piano or guitar, bass, and drums) with either a live band (preferred) or a pre-recorded format. Sticks and brushes should be clearly distinguishable in the recording. The instrument being judged should predominate.

Please submit a total of three (3) individual digital video recordings that include the following and in the following order (Brushwork must be incorporated in at least one of the 3 selections):

  • The 12-bar blues piece “Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker must be performed with a combo at tempo marking (quarter note equals 180). Audition must include playing time for two or more choruses behind a soloist and one or more choruses of a drum solo.
  • Perform one (1) Latin tune such as “Nica’s Dream” or “Night in Tunisia.”
  • An up-tempo tune in any jazz style, except blues. MUST BE PERFORMED at a tempo marking 240 bpm (quarter note equals 240) and must include at least three choruses of improvisation. Composers such as Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Horace Silver, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock or George Gershwin are suggested but not required. No original compositions.

Recording Guidelines

  • Use a fixed point of view for your camera that shows all band members. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. Do not pan or move the camera.
  • Ensure recording captures good quality image (video) and sound. Check for good balance and blend.
  • Include three (3) seconds of silence before the beginning of a piece.
  • No sound enhancements are allowed.

File Upload Guidelines

  • Save each selection individually and name the files with their titles.
  • Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your files.
  • Upload each selection as a separate file.
  • Once uploaded, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly for video recordings.

NOTE: You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects. YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for obtaining their permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.