Calling all young musicians hailing from the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia! You are invited to take part in our new „Balkan Youth Jazz Orchestra“ project, implemented by Podgorica’s own Jazz Art NGO and funded by the Western Balkans Fund. University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Music and University “Goce Delchev” Academy of Music in Štip will be our esteemed partners in this project.
Musicians from 18 to 27 years of age are eligible and priority instruments include:
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Tuba
- Saxophone (alt, tenor and baritone)
- Piano
- Bass (guitar or double bass)
- Drums
- Guitar
Other instruments that will be considered for inclusion are:
- Strings (violin, viola and cello)
- Woodwind (bassoon, oboe, flute, clarinet)
- Horn
- Vocal
In addition to:
- Harp
- Percussions
- Accordion
- Traditional instruments
In the selection process, the following criteria will be taken into consideration:
- Sight reading
- Creative improvisation
- Ability to perform with a group
Candidates should have at least one of the above capabilities.
If interested, please fill out this online application.
Through this form, interested candidates should also send one to three videos showcasing their musical capabilities through compositions no longer than six minutes.
Applications will be accepted from 1 July to 1 October 2020.
Successful candidates will be invited for an online audition two weeks after the closure of this open call.
Chosen members of the “Balkan Youth Jazz Orchestra” will have the opportunity to cooperate with experts nominated by the project’s partners and become involved in the preparation of the versatile repertory, consisting of works of young and prominent composers from our region. The project’s final stage will take place in Podgorica (Montenegro). During the six-day rehearsal period, there will be intensive preparations followed by multiple concert performances in Podgorica and Cetinje. These performances will be held as part of our Jazz Appreciation Month in Montenegro, culminating with International Jazz Day. All the costs of travel and your stay in Podgorica will be covered by Jazz Art.
We would like to encourage all the young talented and interested musicians from the Western Balkans region to apply for this opportunity and join us in the first Balkan Youth Jazz Orchestra.
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.