nominations

The Workshop is a residency program for twelve dedicated and gifted young musicians who have demonstrated a commitment to their musical studies and a level of skill to warrant special attention. In the last several years, the level of talent of the VJF's scholarship winners has increased dramatically and therefore only students who can play at the highest level should be nominated. Please do not nominate a student who is not qualified musically and/or would be unable to deal with a very intense and demanding program. Only Music Teachers, Band Directors and other qualified music professionals may nominate a student.

The Foundation's goal is to provide assistance to dedicated young musicians in order to help them realize their full potential and the Workshop is only available on a scholarship basis. In return, the Foundation expects each student to pay back his/her "debt" by giving back to his/her community. Any student nominated should have demonstrated a commitment to these ideals, as well as a level of maturity that establishes beyond a doubt that he/she is worthy of a scholarship to this very special program (without regard to economic need).

The economic need of the student is also an extremely important factor, especially since there are so many potential participants and so few openings. Therefore the resources of the student's family will be considered. The VJF realizes that you may not be in a position to verify family income but assume you will have a sense of whether or not a student will qualify for a scholarship.

The Workshop covers jazz theory, group lessons, private lessons, jazz improvisational work, ensemble participation, and multiple performance opportunities and is open only to students whose primary instruments are piano, bass, drums, trumpet and saxophone.

Students nominated should not be advised that they are being considered. If a student is being considered for a scholarship, the VJF will contact the nominating party and request that the party contact the student and his parents to determine if there is an interest in participating and whether the student is potentially qualified based upon family income. Assuming that the student qualifies he/she and his/her parents will be invited to submit an application, but there can be no assurance that a scholarship will be granted even if we solicit an application.