VSA arts
International Young Soloists Award
2008 Application Guidelines
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, World, etc.
A disability is defined as 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).
State Affiliate Selection Process
Many VSA arts United States affiliates like Accessible Arts implement their own
International Young Soloists Award programs. Entries received in the VSA arts
headquarters from soloists residing in states where the affiliate is conducting a state-level review will be forwarded to that state affiliate for initial evaluation. The top two
entries from that state are then forwarded to the VSA arts headquarters for
consideration in the national adjudication.
Selection Process
An advisory committee comprised of music professionals and educators will assist with
the selection process. Selections will be announced in January 2008.
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 Procedures Checklist
Each applicant is required to submit the following materials:
Completed and signed Individual Musician OR Ensemble Application Form.
One-page narrative including biographical information and the reasons why the
applicant feels he/she should be selected as the recipient of the 2008 VSA arts
International Young Soloists Award. This information should focus on the
applicant’s musical training and experience and not the applicant’s disability.
A recording (CD, DVD, VHS or audio tape) presenting three (3) musical
selections. A CD or DVD format recording is preferred. Video tapes from
camcorders will not be accepted.
Hints: The music and artistry should be easily heard on your recording. It isn't necessary
for the selections to be from one performance, but they should represent recent
performances. Since the selected performers will not be permitted to use recorded
music in their performance, applicants must use live accompaniment on the
audition recording.
Application materials should be sent to the address below and received no later
than November 15, 2007.
Award Presentation and Performance Opportunities
Recipients of the VSA arts International Young Soloists Award will receive their award
and perform in Washington, D.C. in 2008.
Please submit the application form, your narrative, and your audition recording
by the above deadlines to:
Accessible Arts, Inc.
1100 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66102-4411
913/281-1133
About VSA arts
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador
Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through,
participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with
resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities.
VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information visit www.vsarts.org.
