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 2026-27 edition of this exciting composition will be for high school and junior college students 19 years old and younger composing one of the following:
Original Jazz Composition Arranged for Big Band
OR
Original Jazz Composition Lead Sheet
Contest Category Details
The 2026-27 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 composition written and arranged for Jazz “Big Band” with the following instrumentation:
- 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, vibes/percussion (opt.)
Category 2
Jazz Combo presented as a 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 September 30th, 2025
- Not have enrolled in courses at any 4-year college or university during the 2026-27 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- Be unpublished and without commercial copyright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.
Up to five composers will be recognized*:
Prizes / Awards
Category 1 – Prizes
- First Prize
- Winner receives $600 cash prize.
- The winning composition will be performed on a WSU Jazz Concert.
- Winner receives a recording from the performance of the winning composition by the WSU Jazz Big Band.
- 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.
- Third Prize
- $150 cash prize
Category 2 – Prizes (Lead Sheet)
- First Prize
- Winner receives $200 cash prize
- Winner receives a recording of the winning composition by Jazz Northwest Faculty Jazz Ensemble
- Second Prize
- Winner receives $150 cash prize
*Only compositions that the panel finds as demonstrating sufficient achievement will be awarded.
How to Enter
- Submit this form by September 30, 2026.
- 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 January 10, 2027 to be eligible for the contest.
REGISTRATION LINK:
- 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.