Scholarship Program                                     

Paul Marlin Phillips Memorial Scholarship

One full scholarship (valued at over $500) is available for a high school student to attend Maryland Summer Jazz 2010. The scholarship is for any instrument except drums. The winner may choose one of the two sessions held at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, July 21-23 and July 28-30. Applicants must be age 16 or older at the time of application. Those scheduled to graduate in 2010 are eligible.

This popular “boot camp” for jazz players features three days of adult-level, professional instruction from some of the country’s most gifted performers and teachers. Former students rate it as an excellent learning experience.

The application deadline is June 1, 2010. Announcement of the scholarship winners will be made June 10, 2010. All applicants will receive the results by email. Results will also be posted on the Maryland Summer Jazz website.

Scholarship Philosophy

Our philosophy at Maryland Summer Jazz and with our scholarship program is to be inclusive, and to provide a fun opportunity for musical and personal growth. We want all people who are interested in learning jazz and improvisation to have that experience available and open to them.

We welcome ALL applicants, from All-State musicians to those who have never played jazz before and those who don’t play a “traditional” jazz instrument (i.e. bassoon, tuba,flute, cello etc.). Scholarship winners are chosen based on previous achievement, enthusiasm, financial need, stated goals, and evidence of untapped talent.

Scholarship Application Guidelines

1. Write a letter of one page or less indicating why you want to attend Maryland Summer Jazz 2010. Include your name, school, instrument, mailing address and phone number, email address and details of your previous musical achievements.

2. Send an audio recording (CD, DVD, MP3, MiniDisc or cassette tape) of you playing and improvising over TWO songs, one of which must be a Bb or F blues (using an “Aebersold” type CD play along is acceptable).
Horn/Single Line Players – include both the melody of the song(s), and some soloing.
Bass players - include some walking bass lines as well as soloing.
Pianists and guitarists - include both comping and soloing on your recording.
Vocalists - Sing two jazz style tunes, one ideally a blues. Include both the melody, and scatting a solo, if you are comfortable with scatting.

3. All applicants must include two letters of recommendation from people who know you, such as teachers, employers, clergy or family friends. The letters should address points such as financial need, work ethic, talent, etc.

4. Please apply only once to be considered for ALL of our scholarships.

Scholarship Deadline and Procedures

Please mail all letters and recordings together in one package to the address below, postmarked no later than June 1, 2010.  Announcement of the winner will be made on June 10, 2010

Jeff Antoniuk, Director
Maryland Summer Jazz
Scholarship Program
217A Bowie Ave
Annapolis, MD 21401