International Young Soloist Music Program

Call for Entries
Announcing the 2009 VSA arts International Young Soloists Award Call for Entries. Since 1984, the VSA arts International Young Soloists Program has been seeking to identify talented musicians who have a disability. The VSA arts International Young Soloists Award is given annually to four outstanding musicians, two from the United States and two from the international arena. The award provides an opportunity for these emerging musicians to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility
Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from the United States who has a disability, age 25 and under, is eligible to apply. Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from outside the United States who has a disability, age 30 and under, is eligible to apply. Individual musicians should complete the Individual Musician Application Form.

Applications from musical ensembles (two to eight members) will be accepted for the International Young Soloists Award. This includes any type of ensemble from a rock band to a chamber ensemble to a drum corps. In order to be eligible, at least one member of the ensemble must have a disability. All members of the ensemble must fulfill age requirements as stated above. The ensemble should complete the Ensemble Application Form.

All types of music will be accepted, including but not limited to Rock/Alt Rock, Pop, Indie, Classical, Country/Folk, Jazz, R&B/Blues, Hip Hop/Rap, Latin, and World. As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. (An impairment is a physiological disorder affecting one or more of a number of body systems, or a mental or psychological disorder.)

Selection Process
An advisory committee comprised of music professionals and educators will assist with the selection process. Selections will be announced in January 2009.

Selection Criteria
The VSA arts International Young Soloists Award advisory committee will evaluate each audition recording in the areas of technique, tone, rhythm, interpretation, and intonation (if applicable).

Application:

2009 Application Guideline (pdf)

2009 Application for Individual Musicians (pdf)

2009 Application for Ensembles (pdf)

Application Deadline is November 15, 2008

In New York State - Submit complete applications to:

Young Soloists
c/o NYSAAE
P.O. Box 2217
Albany, NY 12220

Questions?
Contact Sharon Scarlata sharon@nysaae.org or 518-486-7328