Open call: Big Band Compositions

12 mai 2025 - 13:10

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Snapshot APS Association, in collaboration with the Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra (TJCO) is inviting composers for an international composition competition.

The competition is open to all composers, regardless of age or nationality.

The competition is open to all composers, regardless of age or nationality. Members of the permanent TJCO ensemble are not eligible to participate.

Objectives

Submitted compositions must:

Be unpublished.
Be written specifically for the TJCO.
Be arranged for the entire orchestra.
Highlight the ensemble’s multi-stylistic nature, improvisational approach, unique soloists, and the orchestral/timbral possibilities offered by instrumental doubling.
Incorporate mixed media (e.g., electronics, visuals, or other integrated languages).

Instrumentation

Winds & Voice

Voice: marta raviglia
Flute (optional alto flute): Sandro tognazzo
Clarinet (opt. bass clarinet): Daniele D’Alessandro
1st Alto Sax (opt. bass flute, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet): Piero Bittolo Bon
2nd Alto Sax (opt. soprano sax): Tobia Bondesan
1st Tenor Sax (opt. clarinet): Filippo Orefice
2nd Tenor Sax (opt. soprano sax): to be confirmed
Baritone Sax (opt. bass clarinet): Giulia Barba

Brass

Trumpets (4, all with flugelhorn option): Michele Tedesco, Paolo Malacarne, Pasquale Paterra, Francesco Assini.
Trombones (3): Federico Pierantoni, Lorenzo Manfredini, Giulio Tullio.
Bass Trombone: to be confirmed.
Tuba: Glauco Benedetti.

Rhythm section

Piano (opt. keyboards and/or electronics): Federico Rubin / Alfonso Santimone.
Guitar: Luca Chiari.
Double Bass (optional electric bass): Stefano Dallaporta.
Drums (optional second drum set): Simone Sferruzza / Andrea Grillini.
Compositions that do not comply with this instrumentation will not be considered.

Submission guidelines

Each composer may submit up to three pieces . For each submission, the following materials are required:
Full score in PDF format (preferably also in .sib or .mxl).
Audio file in MP3 format (MIDI or live recording).
Completed registration form (available on the official website).
Proof of payment of the entry fee.

Note: If the piece is selected, the composer must also submit individual instrumental parts in PDF format.

How to submit

All materials must be sent before 1 October 2025 via file transfer service to the following email: towerjazzcomposersorchestra@gmail.com

To ensure anonymity:

Assign a unique alphanumeric code to each score (e.g., AB1234).
Name the score file: AB1234.pdf.

In addition to the score, participants must attach a second PDF file (e.g., AB1234_Info.pdf) containing:

Full name.
Email address and phone number.
Composition title.
Declaration of authorship and acceptance of the competition rules.
Proof of payment of the entry fee.
Receipt of all the above materials is required for registration in the competition.

Note: Scores containing any identifying information (name, signature, metadata, etc.) will be automatically disqualified .

Entry fee

1 piece: €30 (about $33)
2 pieces: €50
3 pieces: €65

The selected works will be rehearsed and performed by the Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra on 23 November 2025 during the Bologna Jazz Festival conducted by Maestro Tommaso Ussardi.

Awards