NJF Composition Category Update!

The University of Northern Colorado’s UNC JAZZ LAB I Ensemble will record the winning piece from the NJF Composition Category!

Thanks to the University of Northern Colorado’s support and collaboration, the UNC Jazz Lab I ensemble will record the winning composition chart from the National Jazz Festival’s Composition Category. The recording will premiere on May 22 at the virtual 2021 NJF festival on NJF YouTube. The UNC Jazz Lab I, the top big band at UNC, is an award-winning ensemble that has performed throughout the U.S. and China and has accompanied major jazz artists.

The winning composer will get to hear his/her score played by this top-notch collegiate ensemble! All the viewers will get to hear this winning chart on YouTube! What an amazing, rare opportunity for an aspiring composer!

Apply today at https://nationaljazzfestival.org/composers/

Watch the UNC Jazz Lab I at the 2020 Jack Rudin Jazz Championship

The National Jazz Festival strives to encourage young musicians to approach composition. Given the individualized style of jazz, the composition world is your oyster. Charlie Parker agreed.

“Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom….They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.” 

There is no boundary line to composition. Jump in. The only demand is dedication and hard work. Put in the time to learn theory, experiment with writing a few bars of melody, listen to the jazz greats, listen to the tune in your head. Hum it. Then write it.