New Jazz Works

The commissioned work:  

• must be of substantial length (at least 10 minutes of composed music); this may be one extended work or shorter pieces that together form a larger work.  
• feature improvisation as an integral part of the composition.  
• be written for 2-10 musicians; the total number of musicians including the performing composer and guest artists must not exceed 10.  
• be scored for one musician per part.  
• result in a printed score, lead sheet, or other form of graphic notation or nontraditional documentation.   

If the commissioned work will be written as part of a multi-disciplinary project, it must also be able to be performed or presented as a stand-alone work.  

Performances must be public, accessible, and inclusive. A public performance is one that takes place in a venue or digital setting open to general audiences, not just invited guests or personal networks. This includes live-streamed concerts, as long as they are publicly viewable. For the purposes of this grant, conferences do not qualify as public events.  

Applications are due to Chamber Music America by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Award notifications are made in June. 

A New Jazz Works grant is made up of four components: 

Composer Payment: $9,000
Ensemble Member Payment for U.S. World Premiere and additional concert: $1,000 per Musician ($2,000 for a duo through $10,000 for a decet)
Continued Life Funding: $15,000 (for future performances and recording; or future performances if the grantee is not making a recording)
Administrative Support Funding: $3,000

1. Composition and World Premiere
   This phase includes the creation of the new work, world premiere, and one additional performance. Funding includes a composer payment of $9,000 for composing the work, and an ensemble honorarium of $1,000 per musician (up to $10,000) for rehearsals and performance of the work, including the composer. The creation of the composition, premiere performance, and additional concert must be completed by December 31, 2026. 

2. Continued Life of the New Work:Funding ($15,000) to support:
   • A minimum of 2 additional public performances OR 
   • A minimum of 1 additional public performance of the work and a distribution-quality audio and/or video recording.  

In-person performances can take place in the U.S. and/or abroad, but at least 2 of the performances for the grant must be U.S.-based. All activities must be completed by June 30, 2029.

3. Administrative Support Funding
   Funding (up to $3,000) can be used towards administrative support funding for administrative support activities at by the grantee or associate. Administrative support includes, but is not limited to:
   • Handling coordination (outreach to presenters and venues, reaching out to target communities, arranging for lodging/meals, equipment rental, etc.) 
   • Expenses associated with the promotion of the performances, commercial release of a record, copying costs, etc.  
   • Payment of an associate or outside party to handle administrative activities, tax advice, taxes, etc. 
   • General project support such as childcare, audio and/or video personnel, social media managers, engaging a booking agent/manager/publicist, etc. 

All activities must be completed by June 30, 2029. 

Ensemble 

• Ensembles consisting of 2-10 musicians (including guest artists) may apply to this program.  
• The ensemble or primary contact for the application must have a current CMA Organization Membership at the time of application. If you currently have a different type of membership, please contact membership@chambermusicamerica.org.
• New Jazz Works funds musical artists only; non-musical artists are not supported by this program.  

An ensemble is eligible if:  

• it is a professional composer-led or collective jazz ensemble (student groups are not eligible).  
• it is based in the U.S., its territories or Indian country.  
• the leader is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  
• it includes improvisation as an integral part of composition and performance.  
• it has no overdue financial or reporting obligations to CMA or for any CMA grants.  
• An ensemble or composer may be on an application in either CMA’s 2026 New Jazz Works program or the 2026 Classical Commissioning program, but not both.   

Composer 

The composer: 

• may be either the bandleader or a member of the ensemble/collective.  
• is an individual, not a group.  
• must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  
• must have fulfilled any outstanding obligations from prior CMA grants at the time of application. 
• Cannot be a composer on a current New Jazz Works, Classical Commissioning, or Artistic Projects grant 

CMA Grantees 

• Current New Jazz Works grantees who have an active grant project in progress cannot apply for a New Jazz Works grant. 
• If the ensemble or commissioned composer has a current commissioning project under a with a current CMA grant, they cannot apply.  This includes grants in New Jazz Works, Classical Commissioning, or Artistic Projects. 
• Past New Jazz Works grantees who have received their grant in the past 5 years (2021-present) are not eligible to apply. 

Eligible Expenses 

All of the following expenses are allowed as long as they are directly related to the project. 

• Ensemble and guest artist(s) fees  
• Concert production costs (lighting, sound, cartage, etc.) 
• Fees for sound management or tour management 
• Streaming production costs 
• Direct promotion, marketing, and advertising expenses 
• Travel (ground/air), Lodging, Meals per diem 
• Backline equipment not being provided by a venue or presenter 
• Administrative support for non-personnel, indirect project costs including, but not limited to: 
  • Childcare 
  • Marketing & promotion 
  • Administrative management, etc. 

Eligible Venues 

• Nonprofit and commercial established jazz presenters and clubs 
• Performing arts centers, theaters, and concert halls 
• Universities, colleges, and institutions of higher education 
• Jazz festivals 
• Radio station live segments 
• Community centers 
• Churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship 
• Museums, Galleries, and Artist spaces 
• Libraries & Listening Rooms 
• Retail and civic/municipal events and spaces such as town greens, wineries, breweries, municipal festivals 

Ineligible Requests: 

• Previously written works, works-in-progress, arrangements, opera, and/or incidental music are not supported by this program. 
• Additionally, CMA cannot consider the following applications:  
  • requesting funding for non-musical artists.  
  • requesting fees for student musicians.  
  • requesting funds for classes or workshops for music students.  
  • requesting funds for works that are written for big bands or an ensemble of greater than 10 musicians. 
  • Fees for dancers. An exception would be tap dance, which has strong roots within the jazz tradition and that carries a sonic element that contributes musically to the project. 
  • Collaborative projects involving other artistic disciplines that are not stand-alone works for a concert performance.    
  • Projects requesting funding for:   
    • Activities outside of the grant period 
    • Compositions that are soloistic in nature (such as works for soloists and accompaniment).   
    • Bandleaders who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents 
    • Current grantees or past New Jazz Works grantees who received grants in the past 5 years (2021 and onward) 
    • Collaborative projects involving other artistic disciplines that cannot function independently in a jazz performance.  

CMA Membership Requirements 

At the time of application, the applicant must be a current CMA Organization Member. If you currently have a different type of membership, please contact membership@chambermusicamerica.org.  

Audio Summary Table 

• Complete the Audio Summary Table in the application, and provide instrumentation, file length, and cue times to guide the panel’s listening for each submitted audio sample. 

Audio Uploads 

• Submit 2 audio samples featuring only small ensemble music (2-10 musicians) including guest artists.
• Samples should demonstrate the composer’s strongest compositions and ensemble’s performance level and must feature either the full ensemble or at least 50% of the musicians included in the application.
• Samples must feature a single original composition or excerpt from a composition for a small ensemble by the composer on the application.
• Include contrasting works, if possible.
• Soloistic works are not recommended.
• Samples that prominently feature guests/soloists not involved in the proposed commission are not recommended.
• A duo must submit works with both partners
• Only mp3 and m4a files types are accepted.
• Submit up to 4 minutes of a single work on each file. Works longer than 4 minutes, must identify time stamps to highlight specific sections.
• Each audio sample must feature scored and improvised sections.
• Samples do not need to be of studio quality but should be clear and representative of the ensemble’s performance. (Please be advised: Poor recording quality affects the panelists’ ability to judge the application.)

Audio 1: Composer Sample

• Up to 4 minutes of music that demonstrates excellent jazz arrangement including demonstration of improvisation skills as well as strong composition skill and technique 
• Must feature a single original composition or excerpt from that composition for a small ensemble by the composer on the application. 
• The sample does not need to be performed by the applicant ensemble. 
• *The Audio 1 Composer Sample must be accompanied by a relevant section of the printed score, lead sheet, or graphic notation. 
• Save using the name: Audio 1 

Audio 2: Ensemble Sample 

• Up to 4 minutes of music that demonstrates the ensemble’s technical skill executing the arrangement and excellent group cohesion 
• Must feature a single work or an excerpt from that performed by the applicant ensemble or a majority of its members (more than 50%) 
• The sample does not need to be an original composition. 
• A duo must submit a work with both partners 
• Save using the name: Audio 2 

Score Upload for Audio 1 & Audio 2 

• Upload the score for each sample online application. Acceptable file type: pdf only.

Lyrics & Translation (if Applicable)
ALL samples that include lyrics or spoken word must provide a transcript of the lyrics. If lyrics are in a language that is not English, applicant must also provide a translation of the lyrics to English.

Photo Upload:
Upload 3 photos for use in CMA press release materials in the event that the applicant is awarded & label photos in the following format:  

• 1_ApplicantName_credit_PhotographerName (Please make sure that the photos provided have been cleared for public use by your photographer before submission.)  
• 2_ ApplicantName _credit_PhotographerName (Please make sure that the photos provided have been cleared for public use by your photographer before submission.)  
• 3_ ApplicantName _credit_PhotographerName (Please make sure that the photos provided have been cleared for public use by your photographer before submission.

First, click here to get to the CMA Membership platform page with the application link. Once you are signed in to your Organization Account, that page will display the application link. 

From there, click the application link. CMA uses the online application platform Submittable. Log in, or you can create a free Submittable account if you do not already have one.  

• CMA recommends that you save your draft in an offline document as backup.  
• To save the work you have done on your application, you must click SAVE DRAFT at the bottom of the form before exiting.   
• You can return to your saved application to continue working on it by following the log-in instructions.  
• The application will close promptly at 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, February 26 , 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least 24 hours in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.  

To submit an application:  

• Click here to sign into your CMA Organization Account and view the application link.
• Click the application link and sign into Submittable/create a free account on the application platform.  
• Complete all required fields, including text boxes, the Funding Request, and Audio Sample information.   
• Prepare your audio samples and score sample.  
• Save audio files as using the name: [Applicant Composer Name]-Audio 1 for the composer audio and [Applicant Ensemble Name]-Audio 2; acceptable file types: mp3, m4a.   
• Upload the audio file and score sample  
• When complete, sign and date your application.  
• Click “Submit” to send application to CMA; you will receive a confirmation email. 

Grant applications are reviewed by an independent panel of jazz music professionals; CMA staff and board do not select or adjudicate award recipients. 

The panel reviews audio samples presented anonymously. This process conceals the names of the composer, ensemble, and ensemble members, as well as the titles of the audio samples and scores submitted for the evaluation process.  

The panel will review each sample for:  

• Originality in compositional technique and skill in arranging for jazz ensembles.
• Technical and artistic strength of individual instrumentalists to understand the composer’s arrangement(s).
• Cohesiveness of the ensemble in performing scored and improvised music.

The audio summary table in the application form serves as a guide for the panel listening and is not scored.

If awarded, the member of the ensemble serving as the primary contact for the grant is responsible for:  

• serving as the grant contact for CMA; 
• providing government issued documentation as proof of their U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status; 
• receiving and managing the grant funds; 
• maintaining CMA membership through the entire grant period. 
• filing any reports to CMA (reports must be submitted for grantees to remain in good standing with CMA). 

Grantees will need to complete all reporting to remain in good standing with CMA  

Grant funds are taxable income; grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations regarding the reporting of grant funds. 

Grantees are expected to fulfill all parts of their project. Failure to fulfill all parts of the project can result in consequences or loss of future ability to apply for CMA funding. Details will be included in agreements to grantees. 

CMA collects data on race and ethnicity in connection to grant programs and applications; membership; and surveys with partner organizations, like funding partners. As such, CMA has developed a set of standards for keeping, collecting, and presenting data on race and ethnicity that aim to provide consistency in collecting and using this type of data. 

These standards have been developed in accordance with data collection standards by other groups such as CMA’s funders, federal agencies, and agencies that track race and ethnicity data. 

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