SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition : samrofoundation.org.za

Organisation : Southern African Music Rights Organisation
Announcement : Samro Overseas Scholarships 2017 For Keyboard Players
Applicable for : Open to citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho or Swaziland
Deadline : 15 May 2017
Head Office : Braamfontein

Website : http://www.samrofoundation.org.za/samro-flagship-projects.php
Download Rules & Regulation :  https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/7229-samroregulations.pdf

SAMRO Overseas Scholarships competition for Keyboard Players :

** The 2017 competition will take place in the week of 21 – 26 August at the ZK Matthews Hall at UNISA in Pretoria.

Related : Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2018 : www.southafricain.com/7226.html

** Music students and young professionals aged 32 and younger are eligible to apply.

Regulations :
1. It is very important that applicants comply fully with the requirements set out in these Regulations, to ensure that their applications qualify for acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements or aspects thereof will result in immediate disqualification.

2. The value of the main award in each genre is R200 000. The main scholarship winners’ awards may be used for master classes or post-graduate study abroad, focussing on advancing their keyboard performance skills.
3. To receive the awarded prizes, winners will be required to provide request letters outlining the proposed expenditure. Funds will be disbursed on approval of these request letters.

4. All monetary prizes must be used within 2 years of being awarded, failing which they will expire. Candidates who foresee that the deferral of the use of any funds awarded may become necessary, must submit their reasons for a deferral request in writing 3 months before the end of the 2-year period.

5. The age limit is 32 years. For this year’s competition, applicants must have been born on or after 15 May 1985.
6. The competition is open to keyboard players who are citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho or Swaziland.

7. Applicants should have already completed (or expect to complete) their studies in 2017 for a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate music degree/diploma. In exceptional cases, final acceptance of candidates without the necessary qualifications will be at the discretion of the SAMRO Foundation Board.

8. Previous winners of the Main Scholarship Award in any of the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships competitions are not eligible to apply.
9. During the 2 years following, main award-winners of this competition may be required to make themselves available for a possible public performance.

Application Requirements :
1. Complete the Application Form (available in editable pdf format). No hand-written application forms will be accepted.

2. In addition, the following documents must be submitted via e-mail :
a. A brief Curriculum Vitae with details of your performing experience
b. A brief biography of no more than 150 words, suitable for inclusion in the competition programme, publicity material and various relevant websites

c. A description of plans for further study or master classes abroad and envisaged career path (max 300 words)
d. Details of any other current study awards and bursaries

3. Applications must be accompanied by :
a. A recent high resolution (300dpi) colour digital photo (professional quality – head and shoulders only)
b. A certified copy of the candidate’s valid identity document as proof of age and citizenship

c. Two current testimonials regarding the candidate’s keyboard abilities from the candidate’s :
i. most recent keyboard teacher
ii. any other competent and recognised musical authority to whom the candidate’s keyboard abilities are known

d. Submission of a high-quality unedited (recorded in a single take) audio recording in digital format (MP3 or MP4) of 3 works (recorded at minimum 16 bit stereo, 44.1 kHz) – compiled in terms of the repertoire and performance guidelines

Closing date : Monday 15 May 2017
Note :
** Late and incomplete applications will be disqualified
** Any candidate who provides false or misleading information will be disqualified

Competition Rounds :
1. The Scholarships competition will include the following three rounds :
** Qualifying Round – audio recordings will be adjudicated by a professional panel of adjudicators
** Semi-final Round – public live performance before a panel of adjudicators
** Final Round – public live performance before a panel of adjudicators

2. The live performances may be recorded for broadcast, and the broadcaster will have the sole right to transmit such performances without remuneration to any participant in the performances

3. Should any participant be subject to an exclusive performance contract, a Letter of Agreement from the competent contractual party permitting the recording and broadcast(s) must be submitted.

Qualifying Round :
1. All applicants must submit a professional-quality unedited (single take) audio recording in digital format (MP3 or MP4) of 3 works (recorded at minimum 16 bit stereo, 44.1 kHz) – compiled in terms of the Repertoire Guidelines on page 8 for Jazz and page 10 for Western Art Music. Please ensure that the volume levels of the recording are at a suitable loudness level

2. Jazz Either unaccompanied or with rhythm section accompaniment

3. Recordings – The recording of works submitted must be accompanied by :
a) The titles of works in the order in which they are recorded
b) The exact performance duration of each work
c) A letter of confirmation by either the recording engineer or the applicant’s teacher verifying the authenticity and date of the unedited recording in compliance with the rules

4. A maximum of 6 candidates in each genre may be chosen from the Qualifying Round to compete in the Semi-final Round

Note :
** Candidates chosen to take part in the Semi-final Round will be advised by Friday 30 June 2017

Semi-final Round :
1. The Semi-final Round will take place on Thursday 24 August 2017 at the ZK Matthews Memorial Hall, UNISA, Pretoria
2. Candidates will perform for a panel of adjudicators and audience. The programme must be compiled in accordance with the Performance Requirements and Repertoire Guidelines below
3. A maximum of two candidates in each genre will be chosen from the Semi-final Round to compete in the Final Round

Final Round :
1. The Final Round will take place on Saturday 26 August 2017 at the ZK Matthews Memorial Hall, UNISA, Pretoria
2. Candidates will perform for a panel of adjudicators and audience. The programme must be compiled in accordance with the Performance Requirements and Repertoire Guidelines below
3. All semi-finalists must be present at the Final Round event as all main and subsidiary award-winners in both categories will be announced after this Round’s conclusion

General Performance Requirements :
a. A candidate’s choice of repertoire is one of the criteria taken into account by the adjudicators. The works selected should form a balanced and rounded recital-programme, for both the Semi-final and Final Rounds. (Please refer to the Repertoire Guidelines on page 8 for Jazz and page 10 for Western Art Music)

b. Performance from memory in the Final Round is obligatory for all works excluding the prescribed work in Category E (option remains to play from memory)
c. Candidates who fail to abide by time-parameters to a significant degree in any Round will be disqualified

d. Candidates’ performances will be assessed according to the following criteria :
** General performing/keyboard flair
** Technical skills
** Tone production and quality
** Musicianship
** Interpretation
** Choice of repertoire
** and in the case of Jazz candidates, improvisational skills

For Jazz Applicants :
Application Requirements :
We require the following details as part of the application :
1. The surname and full first name(s) of each composer and of arranger/transcriber (where applicable) of each work
2. The full and correct original language title of each work
3. The full name of each publisher (state “in manuscript” where applicable for Category D)

4. The duration of each work and/or section thereof (where applicable), together with the total performing time for each Round – accuracy is essential
5. In the Semi-final and Final Rounds, candidates will perform only with the official accompanists appointed by the SAMRO Foundation

6. Candidates wishing to perform their own original compositions for Category D in any Round must submit the score of such composition with their applications. The panel may reject the composition if the prescribed criteria or standard of work is not consistent with the rest of the repertoire

For Western Art Music Applicants :
1. The candidate’s keyboard instrument (piano, organ or harpsichord)
2. The surname and full first name(s) of each composer (and arranger where applicable) of each work
3. The full and correct original language title of each work, together with the key and tempo-indications

4. The opus-number and/or catalogue-number (e.g. BWV, K, etc.,) of each work
5. The full name of each publisher (where applicable)
6. The duration of each work and/or section thereof (where applicable), together with the total performing time for each Round – accuracy is essential