In the spirit of creativity and honoring our jazz legacy, Essentially Ellington seeks to encourage young musicians to compose and arrange by offering the Essentially Ellington Student Composition/Arranging Contest. Submissions will be critiqued by composer, arranger, and JLCO saxophonist, Ted Nash, and the winning selection will be announced along with the Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival finalist bands on February 15, 2023.

The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a composition lesson with Ted Nash. The winner will also receive a trip to New York City to observe the JLCO recording session and Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival, May 11-13, 2023 and have their composition recorded by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO).

For parameters around submitting a chart, click HERE.

To complete an application and submit a chart and recording, please click HERE and select “Student Composition Contest” from the drop-down menu on the left.