Inspired by WSU jazz supporter, Jerry Standal, Ph.D., the WSU Gregory W. Yasinitsky Jazz Composers Contest exists as an outlet for young composers to get feedback on their compositions. It is Jerry’s hope, along with ours, that each generation has the motivation and opportunity to create in the exciting jazz idiom!
The 2025 edition of this exciting composition will be for high school and junior college students 19 years old and younger composing one of the following:
- Jazz Contrafact Composition Arranged for Combo
- Jazz Contrafact Composition Arranged for Big Band
- Jazz Contrafact Lead Sheet
Contest Category Details
The 2025 contest is open to composers not yet enrolled in a 4-year college. There will be two categories in this year’s competition.
Category 1
Jazz Contrafact composition written using the chord changes from “Out of Nowhere” and arranged for one of the following:
Jazz “Big Band” with the following:
- 5 saxophones (2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 bari) with no doubles
- 4 trombones (4th can be bass trombone)
- 4 trumpets (mutes and/or flugels are okay)
- Rhythm Section: piano (acoustic), guitar (opt.), bass (elec. or upright), drums
Or:
Jazz Combo with the following instrumentation
- Trumpet
- Saxophone (alto, tenor, or baritone)
- Trombone
- Piano
- Guitar
Up to three awardees in this category.
Category 2
Jazz Contrafact Lead Sheet
- Lead sheet with melody and chord changes
- Formatting:
- Melody on treble clef staff
- Chord changes above the staff
- Tempo/style indication
- Up to three awardees in this category
Eligability
Submitting composers must:
- Not have reached their 20th birthday on August 16th, 2025
- Not have enrolled in courses at any 4-year college or university during the 2024-25 academic year.
- Currently attend or be a graduate of a high school in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska.
Submission Guidelines
Submitted compositions must:
- Be original compositions by the submitter
- Be unpublished and without commercial copyright
- Written using notation software
- Adhere to standard notational practices including indications and markings.
- Conform to the following parameters:
- Do not exceed 6 minutes of written music (not including repeated or open solo sections)
- Lead trumpet range should not exceed D6 (D above the staff)/ written E6
- Lead trombone range should not exceed Bb4 (Bb above middle C)
- No woodwind doubles (inclusion of soprano sax as one of the 5 saxophone parts is ok!)
- By submitting a composition, you are giving the WSU School of Music license and permission to perform submitted compositions without need for further permission requests.
Prizes / Awards
Category 1 – Prizes
- First Prize
- Winner receives $600 cash prize.
- The winning composition will be performed on a WSU Jazz Concert during the 2024-25 School year.
- Winner receives a recording from the performance of the winning composition by the WSU Jazz Big Band or Jazz Northwest Faculty Jazz Ensemble (if winning composition is for combo).
- Lodging for the winning composer in Pullman to attend the WSU Pullman campus performance (up to two rooms will be provided. Travel is not included).
- Second Prize
- $300 cash prize.
- A recording of the awarded composition by the WSU Jazz Big Band or Jazz Northwest Faculty Jazz Ensemble (for awarded combo composition).
- Third Prize
- $150 cash prize
Category 2 – Prizes
- First Prize
- Winner receives $200 cash prize
- Second Prize
- Winner receives $150 cash prize
- Third Prize
- Winner receives $100 cash prize
Only compositions that the panel finds as demonstrating sufficient achievement will be awarded.
It is permitted to submit entries in both categories!!!
NOTE: In the case that winning entries in both categories come from the same composer they will be recognized for and receive the highest prize for which they are eligible. Example: If chosen for third prize in Category 1 ($150) and first prize in Category 2 ($200), they will be awarded for Category 2.
How to Enter
- Submit this entry form by June 30, 2025.
- Create your composition using notation software (Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore, Harmony Assistant, etc.)
- Export pdf’s of the full score and parts.
- Export an MP3 of the composition.
- When you fill out the entry form we will email you a link to a folder where you will upload your files. All files must be uploaded by August 16, 2025 to be eligible for the contest.
Important Links:
- “Out of Nowhere” chord changes to use as basis for contrafact (OK to change key!).
- Registration Form. We will send you a link to a folder for your submission using the information from the form.
This contest is made possible due to the generosity of Jerry T. Standal, Ph.D.