Educational Progams Offered by the
Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, Inc.

• Graduating Seniors will complete the Pinellas Education Foundation (PEF) online application. (Pinellas Education) General questions are asked on the general application that covers all individual scholarships funded through PEF.  The additional requirements submitted by Al Downing Jazz are as follows: 
  
  

• Students must submit a recorded audition (maximum of 20 minutes) demonstrating their ability to interpret music and improvise in a style reflecting exposure to the jazz idiom.  The recording may be submitted on CD or digitally (mp3, video file, YouTube, etc.) labeled with the student’s name, instrument, school, and listing of tunes performed on the recording. 
  
  

• Students must perform 3 contrasting selections (one must be a blues) with live accompaniment.  Selected tunes must be from the standard jazz repertoire.  The selections performed on the recording must be clearly labeled.  Please include a lead sheet for each tune performed. 
  
  

• All performers (except drummers) are expected to play/ sing the melody and to improvise.  Pianists and guitarists must “comp” for another soloist as well in their selected tunes.  Bassists must walk bass lines reflecting the tune’s harmony and rhythmic style. Drummers must demonstrate swing, Latin, and ballad styles in their selections. 
  
  

• Students must submit a written essay (maximum 100 words) on the topic “What Jazz Means in My Life.”
  
  

• Statement of band director / music teacher’s recommendation. (Minimum 2.0 GPA required)
  
  

• Pinellas Education Foundation sends names of students who qualify for each individual scholarship sponsored through the PEF following the January 31^stdeadline.  The Al Downing Jazz Education/ Scholarship Committee then reviews qualified applicants sent to us to determine up to five finalists to perform for the competition finals.
  
  

• Each finalist will be required to perform a live audition with accompaniment by a local jazz trio as rhythm section. A panel of 3 esteemed judges from the Tampa Bay jazz community will score each audition on a point system.  Each finalist will receive a special award for participation.  Scholarships will be awarded based on the final judge's tally.  Awards to the finalists in the following amounts will be based on the judges final scores: 

1st Place    $2000 
2nd Place    $1500 
3rd Place    $1000 
4th Place    $750 
5th Place    $500 

5th Place    $500