The MSM Arts Jazz Scholarship Awards range from $300 - $500 to both instrumentalists and vocalists.  These scholarships, which are awarded without regard to any other award, may be used for any education-related expense.

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In 2005, a group of concerned citizens including Internationally known Jazz Trumpeter Melton Mustafa decided that one way to help bring about positive change in our community is by helping young talented jazz musicians position themselves financially to attend college, to honor them, seek out, and encourage potential musical leaders of the future to continue in their quest for knowledge. MSM Arts, Inc., is that entity that was established to create an endowment that could meet that void in the community.  This endowment fund will be in association with Florida Memorial University and will be set up on a permanent basis at the university by the name “MSM Arts Jazz Scholarship Award.”
 
Eligibility:
 
Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors or first year college students who intend to make music a central part of their future life. Those who have entered as high school seniors are eligible to compete again as college freshmen, unless they have been previous first place winners.
 
APPLICANTS submit an audition CD or tape and application postmarked by December 15, 2010. No more than 10 vocalists and 10 instrumentalists will be chosen to be:

Among FINALISTS who will compete in Miami, Florida at Florida Memorial University, 2 vocalists and 3 instrumentalists will be chosen as:
           
Recipients of the MSM Arts Jazz Scholarship Award will perform in the Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival/Workshop with the C.A.T.S. All-Star Jazz Band

APPLICANTS must submit a clear high-quality audio CD or cassette tape to the Scholarship Committee, to be postmarked by January 5, 2011. This tape will contain your competition pieces or something similar to them in style and difficulty.  A good length of tape performance would be about 10 minutes total. Notice of acceptance or non-acceptance will be provided within a reasonable time following the screening process. Not more than ten finalists will be accepted in each category.

Finalists will come to Florida Memorial University at their own expense for live auditions to be held on January 15, 2011.     Each entry must include a specific statement that the applicant intends to make music performance or teaching a central part of her/his future life, accompanied by a statement of the manner in which the applicant plans to proceed in this direction. A stated intent to major or minor in music studies post-high school would weigh heavily in this, as would evidence that the person is and will be participating in performing groups.

FINALISTS must be prepared to do the following:

INSTRUMENTALISTS:

A. Perform three (3) Jazz compositions with improvisation in the following styles: 12 bar blues style, modal jazz style, rhythm changes and a standard jazz ballad.

B. Sight read selections of the judge's choice.

C. Perform technical exercises such as arpeggios, scales, rudiments and transposition, to the extent required by the judge.

VOCALISTS:

A. Perform two (2) Jazz compositions with improvisation in the following styles: 12 bar blues style, a standard jazz ballad.

B. Sight read simple selections such as hymns or songs of the judge's choice, with or without accompaniment.

C. Sing scales, arpeggios or other technical exercises as directed by the judge.

D. We recommend that you perform a selection contrasting in style or type to the required piece. At least one of your selections should be in English.

General:

1. Any of the usual instruments of band or orchestra are eligible for the instrumental competition. Strings, woodwinds, brass, piano and percussion are all welcome. All voices, male and female, are eligible for the vocal competition. Singers will compete without amplification.

2. The selection of winners and the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of the judge, whose decisions are final. MSM Arts, Inc., reserves the right to make binding and final decisions on questions of eligibility and on conformance to the rules and their intent.

3. All required material, including CD or tape, completed application blank, and a statement of musical intentions must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2010.

4. This announcement may be duplicated. Should you have any questions, call us at 305-898-9594, 305-623-8219 or email to mmustafa@fmuniv.edu or meltonmustafa@comcast.net

5. Each contestant is responsible for making his/her own travel and lodging arrangements at his/her own expense.

6. For more information or an application contact the MSM Arts, Inc. C/O Melton Mustafa P.O. Box 552508 Miami Gardens, Florida 33055 U.S.A.