Composer in Residence Program

Applications for the 2024 Composer in Residence program are now open, and close at 5:00pm AWST, Friday 5th April 2024.

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra annually offers young jazz composers exciting paid opportunities to develop new works and enhance their writing and conducting skills.

Through its unique Composer-in-Residence programs, the Orchestra (WAYJO) annually supports three emerging composers to develop new works for a large jazz ensemble, offering both generous commission fees and artistic mentorship.

The programs are run under the guidance of WAYJO’s Artistic Director, Dr Mace Francis (winner – APRA/AMCOS Jazz Work of the Year and international Scrivere in Jazz prize; finalist – Freedman Jazz Fellowship; nominee – Jazz ‘Bell’ Awards).

This is a rare opportunity for a composer to create new music for a big band without creative restrictions or boundaries. We encourage forward thinking and creative ways of using the big band instrumentation as it is the only way that this music can move forward.

Since its launch in 2008, the WAYJO composer in residence program has presented new works works from great Australian composers such as Rafael Karlen (QLD), Alice Humphries (WA), Jenna Cave (NSW), Andrew Murray (VIC), Brodie McAllister (QLD), Elliott Hughes (VIC), Tim Newhouse (WA), Rafael Jerjen (NSW), Joshua Hatcher (QLD), Scott van Gemert (VIC), Des Cannings (NSW), Brendan Keller-Tuberg (ACT) & Reece Clark (WA).

Applications for the 2024 Composer in Residence opened on Friday 1 March 2024 and close Friday 5 April 2024 at 5:00pm AWST.

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WAYJO is an equal opportunity organisation – we support diversity and encourage all interested parties to apply.

Terms & Conditions

To apply for the Composer &/or Associate Composer in Residence, please note the following:

Submission of Application Form, plus up to 3 original composition scores and recordings (via download link/s or mail), are required before the closing date. Live or computer generated recordings are accepted.

This program is open to all Australian composers (citizens and permanent residents).

The successful applicants will be required to compose the requisite number of original new works, each of between six and eight minutes duration, for the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra Wednesday Night Orchestra (18-piece big band).

The successful applicants will be required to compose a new work for the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra for the following instrumentation:
– 5 Saxes: A/A/T/T/B (information on available doubles tbc)
– 4 Trumpets
– 4 Trombones (3 Tenor / 1 Bass)
– Guitar
– Piano/Keyboard
– Bass (Acoustic & Electric)
– Drums
– Vocals (optional)

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE – National

  • Open to any composer aged 30 years or younger (as at 1st January 2024), residing in Australia.
  • $1,500 offered to the successful applicant to develop 1 new original big band composition.
  • The new works will be recorded and videoed at a professional recording studio. The final audio and video content will be available for your use.
  • Successful applicants can attend rehearsals and/or recording, but at your own expense.
  • The new work needs to be between 6min – 8min duration.

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE – WA Gender Marginalised

  • Open to a jazz composer who identified as female or gender diverse aged 30 years or younger (as at 1st January 2024), residing in Western Australia.
  • $1,500 offered to the successful applicant to develop 1 new original big band composition.
  • The new work will be recorded and videoed at a professional recording studio. The final audio and video content will be available for your use.
  • Successful applicants can attend rehearsals and/or recording, but at your own expense.
  • The new work needs to be between 6min – 8min duration.

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE – WA Under 21

  • Open to any jazz composer aged 21 years or younger (as at 1st January 2024), residing in Western Australia.
  • $1,000 offered to the successful applicant to develop at least 1 new big band original compositions.
  • The new work will be recorded and videoed at a professional recording studio. The final audio and video content will be available for your use.
  • The new work needs to each be between 3min – 6min duration.

ALL POSITIONS INCLUDE

  • Advice and mentoring from WAYJO’s award-winning music directors and/or music industry professionals.
  • Opportunities to attend rehearsals, either in person or via Zoom.
  • Opportunity to attend the recording session (travel at your own expense).

While applicants can, potentially apply for all or some positions, they may be selected for one position only at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

The successful applicants will be notified, and have 5 business days to accept the position. Should the applicant not accept within the allotted time frame, the position will be offered to the next suitable applicant. Successful applicants are to abide by WAYJO’s Code of Conduct during rehearsals and recording.

Due to the number of applications, WAYJO is unable to provide feedback regarding unsuccessful applications. The decisions regarding the offer of the role are final and will not be reconsidered.

PROGRAM ENQUIRIES

Mace Francis, Artistic Director
Phone: +61 8 9471 1950
Email: mace.francis@wayjo.com