Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Competition

Saxophonist Competition

Congratulations to the winner of the 4th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Competition:

Hailey Niswanger, West Linn, OR

And to all of the finalists:

Ashley Baker, Miami, FL
Tara Davidson, Toronto, Canada
Janelle Reichman, New York, NY
Anna Webber, Montreal, Canada

View the 2008 Saxophonist Competition finals here

2008 Guidelines and Application

Guidelines

The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Saxophonist Competition is open to female jazz saxophonists who plan to pursue jazz performance as a career. Eligibility is exclusive to saxophonists who will be 30 years of age or under on May 16, 2008 and have never recorded or been contracted to record as a leader or co-leader on a major label at the time of application.

Entries must be postmarked by February 25, 2008. To apply, mail the following materials:

$25.00 non-refundable entry fee (check payable to The Kennedy Center)
Compact Disc (3 copies, 20 minutes maximum)
Completed Application Form (PDF)
Resume or CV (two pages or less)
Copy of valid, government-issued, proof of age
Photo

Mail to:

Women in Jazz Saxophonist Competition
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Performance Plus™/Education
P.O. Box 101510
Arlington, VA 22210

Repertoire Requirements

To demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to play jazz, choose three songs that illustrate your different playing styles and talent. Original pieces are acceptable. Recordings should not exceed 20 minutes in length.

One selection must be a ballad, one swing, and one up-tempo. Please submit three identical copies of high-quality compact discs of your three selections, with the composer and name of each song indicated along with your name on each sleeve. Indicate any special instructions regarding playback. Please do not state your name on the actual recording. Any such recording will be disqualified without a refund of the entry fee.

Competition Details

International finalists must have a valid Visa for entry into the United States.

The five finalists, chosen during the "blind" judging to compete at the Kennedy Center, will be notified by April 7, 2008. All arrangements of transportation and lodging for the five finalists for three days, and three nights will be arranged and paid for by the Kennedy Center. Plus, they will receive a per-diem for each of the three days of the festival.

When the finalists arrive in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 15, 2008, they will attend many Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival activities. The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival runs Thursday–Saturday, May 15–17, 2008. The Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Saxophonist Competition will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008, where three judges will determine a winner based on individuality and sound. The Kennedy Center will provide a piano trio to accompany the finalists and they will play twice to display different styles, at 12:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage. Finalists must prepare a total of 5 different selections for the competition. At the 12:30 p.m. performance, finalists will play three selections, one ballad, one swing, and one up-tempo for a performance time of no longer than 20 minutes. At the 6 p.m. performance, finalists will play the two remaining selections, in a style of their choosing, with a performance time of no longer than 10 minutes. Following the 6 p.m. final performances, the judges will select a winner whose name will be announced during the 13th annual festival performance on Friday, May 16.

On Thursday, May 15, each finalist will be given a rehearsal session of 45 minutes, with accompaniment. On Friday, May 16, each finalist will be given 20 minutes for sound check on the Millennium Stage.

Awards

The winner will receive an opportunity to play on the main stage of the 14th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival in May 2009.