top of page

A unique opportunity for Yr. 12 Big Band composers 

HSC Big Band Composition Application

The Sydney-based Jazz Composers Co-op (JCC) is offering the opportunity for Yr. 12 HSC composition students to submit their jazz Big Band compositions for feedback, review and possible workshop/recording by Sydney’s top Big Band musicians. Students are invited to send their WIP (work-in-progress) compositions for feedback by leading Australian Big Band composer, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Arranging lecturer and JCC Artistic Director Andrew Robertson.

3-4 students’ works will be selected for live workshop and recording at the JCC monthly reading session on August 24th 2026. 

Please Complete Application Form Below
Please upload your PDF Score (in concert pitch) + notation program audio (mp3)

Alternatively, attach an accessible link to a Google Drive or Dropbox folder with your score + audio

What happens now?

  1. 1. The JCC will contact your Music Teacher to confirm your eligibility (ie: that you are an HSC music student)

  2. 2. We will acknowledge your entry via email

  3. 3. JCC Artistic Director Andrew Robertson will review your composition providing detailed feedback. The feedback is designed to assist you with compositional ideas/concepts specific to the idiom of Big Band. The goal being to help you create an improved piece for your HSC composition portfolio. You will receive this feedback on or before July 30th 2026

  4. 4. A panel of JCC musicians will meet during the month of July to determine which 3-4 compositions will be selected for live workshop and recording at the JCC reading session on August 24th 2026.

  5. 5. Successful candidates will be informed on July 30th and offers to present their work at the JCC reading session on August 24th 2026 will be made. In the case that a student does not accept the offer, the candidate whose composition was considered next on the selection list will be offered a place.....and so on.

  6. 6. Successful candidates who have accepted the offer for their work to be workshopped and recorded will submit a final update of their composition by no later than Thursday August 20th. This includes: score, all individual formatted parts and extracted notation program audio (mp3).

  7. 7. Students to attend the Jazz Composers Co-op reading session in Sydney on Monday August 24th at 7.00pm for workshop and recording of their piece. Each composer will have 45 minutes to rehearse and record their piece.

  8. ​

  9. Where students are unable to attend physically due to distance from Sydney, a live Zoom link will be set up for the student + teacher to participate in the workshop/recording.

bottom of page