2014 PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission

PBS 106.7FM, in association with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, is delighted to announce the third year of the PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission.

The Commission promotes innovation and excellence in jazz composition, and is open to Victorian Jazz composers under the age of 35.

The Commission will award $10,000 for the creation and presentation of a new work to be broadcast on PBS and premiered at the 2014 Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF).

In 2013 the Commission was awarded to Tim Willis and his band The End for the work Night and Day. Tim was able to draw on the work of minimalist composers, described as “a study in human emotions” with five movements, with subtly interwoven themes acting as a showcase for solo and group improvisation.

"The Young Elder of Jazz Commission has been a tremendous experience for me. It has given me the opportunity to focus and hone my skills as a composer and dig deeper into my influences. It has provided me with a chance to create a work that attempts to define the type of musician I want to be and in the process perform with musicians who I admire, to a receptive and appreciative audience. This is a life-changing opportunity not to be missed" said Tim.

The Commission aims to support composers already actively engaging with audiences, and provides a platform to nurture the future of contemporary Jazz composition in Victoria. PBS and MIJF are delighted to collaborate on this important initiative, which has been made possible through the generous support of Mark Newman.

Applications are open from Monday 14 October and close at 5pm Thursday 31 October 2013.

Full terms and conditions for the 2014 PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission are available here.

For media enquiries: Con Kalamaras