Applications now open for the Eddie Harvey Jazz Arrangers Award

Applications are now open for this year's Eddie Harvey Jazz Arranger Award, now administered by the Worshipful Company of Musicians as well as the original trustees.

The award is given to a jazz arranger for an outstanding big band arrangement. The winning piece will be performed at a concert at Milton Court Concert Hall in London on 23rd March 2017 and the winning arranger will also receive a cash prize of £1,000.

Applications will be accepted until 2nd December 2016 and there is no age limit for applicants. The pieces will be judged blind and a panel of judges will decide on a winner.

Full information and the online application form can be found on the Worshipful Company of Musicians website.

Ivor Mairants Guitar Award

The Worshipful Company of Musicians has opened submissions for the Ivor Mairants Guitar Award.

The award, which is now in its 18th year, is open to classical guitarists who wish to receive jazz-influenced tuition. 1st prize includes a £1500 Manuel Rodriguez guitar from the Ivor Mairants music centre in London, £1000 to use for jazz tuition and £200 worth of music. There is also a 2nd prize of £500 and a 3rd prize of £300.

Applicants have until 26th February 2016 to submit their application and must meet the following criteria:

- Have been born on or after January 1st 1989
- Have been resident in the EU for at least 12 months and/or be enrolled in a UK conservatoire
- Provide letters of recommendation from their conservatoire and guitar teacher


Application forms and further guidelines can be found on the Help Musicians UK and Musicians' Company websites.

Submissions Now Welcomed for Dankworth Composition Prize

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2016 Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition.

There are categories that composers may submit works to - the Big Band category and the small ensemble category (between 7 and 9 players). A winner will be selected from each category and will each receive £1,000.

This prize fund was set up in memory of John Dankworth and has run since 2008. Three Northern composers have received the prize including James Hamilton (pictured above) in its inaugural year, James Beckwith (LCoM alumni) and Matt Roberts (Darlington-born LCoM alumni).

Submissions will be accepted until 3rd December 2015 and interested parties should visit the Worshipful Company of Musicians website to download the information sheet and application form. Applicants must be aged 28 or under.

Previous Winners of the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition

2008 James Hamilton (Leeds) Big Band; Nicky Jacques (Birmingham) Small Ensemble
2009 James Beckwith (Leeds) Big Band; Matt Roberts (Leeds) Small Ensemble
2010 Matt Roberts (Trinity) Big Band; Yuriy Galkin (RAM) Small Ensemble
2011 Laura Jurd (Trinity) Big Band; Alex Roth (RAM) Small Ensemble
2012 James Opstadt (RAM) Big Band. No competition for Small Ensemble Composition
2013 Daniel Thorne (WAusAPA) Big Band; Tom Green (Cambridge & RAM) Small Ensemble
2014 Misha Mullov-Abbado (RAM) Big Band; Andrew Woodhead (Birmingham) Small Ensemble
2015 Chris McMurran (Cambridge) Big Band; Ralph Wyld (RAM) Small Ensemb

Worshipful Company of Musicians Young Jazz Musician Finalists

         (Phil Meadows and Nadim Teimoori perform with NYJO at BBC Proms. Hush - Nikki Iles)

 The finalists for the Worshipful Company of Musicians Young Jazz Musician Award have been announced and include two ex-LCoM students; Phil Meadows and Nadim Teimoori.

The two saxophonists join four others (Tom Green, Moses Boyd, Misha Mullov-Abbado and Sam James) to compete for the award.

The final takes place at Pizza Express Dean St in London on 21st September, when each finalist is invited to perform live before a winner is announced.

See Pizza Express website to book tickets and find out more.