Laurie Frink Career Grant
About
The mission of the Laurie Frink Career Grant is to offer to a young brass player an opportunity for serious study or to undertake a creative project. Watching some of her students struggle with the financial burden was heartbreaking to Laurie. Whenever possible, she would put them on her own personal scholarship - free lessons. The goal is to be a grant of $10,000 awarded to an extraordinarily talented player every two years: a grant that would be life changing.
The grant favors projects that emphasize musical development and growth over funding commercial recordings.
Eligibility is open to US-based jazz brass players between the ages of 18-25 years who are currently not under professional management. Beginning this cycle, the grant now includes lead trumpet applicants (please see below for specific lead trumpet requirements). All applicants must be 25 or under as of June 1, 2024. Applicants need not be currently enrolled in an academic institution.
Applications open March 1, 2024
Deadline for application submission is June 1, 2024
A Zoom Information Session will be held on Fri May 10 at 2pm EST. RSVP by May 8 to lauriefrinkcareergrant@gmail.com
Submission Requirements
Applications will be collected through a Google Forms document.
Please have the following materials ready before filling out the form:
LETTER OF INTENT (no more than 700 words). This should detail how your project will act as a catalyst for your artistic and professional growth. Be specific as possible (names of potential collaborators, outline of the budget, etc). Copy and paste your response into the form.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY (no more than 200 words)
JAZZ BRASS APPLICANTS: THREE recorded tracks demonstrating your improvisational skills and musical capabilities. Tracks should represent contrasting styles/tempos and be submitted in MP3 format (max. 4 minutes/10 MB per file). Except for the unaccompanied selection, your tracks should include a live rhythm section.
ONE track must be unaccompanied
ONE track must be a jazz standard - play the melody and improvise over the form
final selection can be your choice
LEAD TRUMPET APPLICANTS: THREE recorded tracks demonstrating your lead playing skills and musical capabilities. Tracks should represent contrasting styles/tempos and include at least 8 measures of melody. Except for the unaccompanied selection, please include at least one track of you playing lead with a big band (if you don't have a big band recording available to you, a recording of you with a live rhythm section will suffice). Tracks should be submitted in MP3 format (max. 4 minutes/10 MB per file). You will be asked to include PDFs of the lead trumpet parts performed on your tracks during the application process.
ONE track must be unaccompanied
ONE track must be from the jazz canon (i.e. Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Duke Ellington, Bob Mintzer, etc.)
final selection can be your choice
The name and contact information (email and phone) for ONE person of reference. This should be a current teacher/bandleader/notable musician who supports your proposed study.
All winners will be required to verify their age and U.S. residence. Taxes on the award are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of five esteemed professional musicians in the summer 2024. Official public announcement will be made in September 2024.
The prize will be given in two equal installments, the first being September 1, 2024. By June 1, 2025 a letter of review will be required, detailing the progress of study and use of funds. If deemed satisfactory, the second half of the award will be paid.
The winner becomes an on-going member of the Laurie Frink community, and will have access to a number of notable musicians and trumpeters to provide career assistance.
All winners must contribute updates on their musical progress for the grants end of year newsletter, which is sent to the patrons.
FAQs
What have previous grant winners used the grant for?
Examples include: private lesson for performance and/or composition, overseas travel for lessons and/or musical experiences, and consultancy and mentorship. The grant favors projects that emphasize musical development and growth over funding commercial recordings.
Can I submit pre-recorded tracks from a studio album or live performance?
Yes, as long as they fit the requirements listed above.
Is an iPhone or portable recording device acceptable for my tracks?
It doesn’t have to be a studio recording, but good quality recording increases the judges ability to hear the best representation of you and your sound. Make every effort possible to submit the best quality recording.
Can I use the grant for private lessons?
Yes - please make sure the proposed teacher is aware of your intentions.
I’m a French horn player. Can I apply?
You are a brass player, but do you also play jazz and improvise? If so, yes!
I’m not in school. Can I apply?
Are you 25 or younger, as of June 1, 2024? If so, yes!
I’m in school for engineering. Can I apply?
Do you play a brass instrument in a jazz style? Do you improvise? If so, yes! If no, I hope you will consider giving all your engineering riches to support music.
I write music, can I use my own compositions to apply for the grant?
As long as one of your MP3 submissions is from the standard jazz repertoire, then the other two can be anything you’d like, including your own compositions. Remember to play the melody and improvise over the form (if applying as a jazz brass soloist).
Can I edit my MP3?
If your track is longer than 4 minutes, please do! Remember that the judges are listening to a lot of submissions, so make sure that each track represents your best playing. The first 2 minutes of your tracks are the most crucial. We don’t need to hear long, vamp-y introductions… just cut to the chase. We want to hear YOU!
I play avant-garde jazz. Can I play free jazz (without changes) for my submissions?
As long as one of your MP3s is an example of you playing the melody and improvising over the changes of a jazz standard, then you can upload whatever you think shows off your musical capabilities and jazz prowess the best.
What is a letter of intent?
This is a chance for the panel of judges to get to know about you, your musicality, and your vision for how the Laurie Frink Career Grant will help you grow further as a musician. In the letter, introduce yourself and the proposed project or course of study. Make sure to include a rough outline for how the funds will be dispersed throughout the course of your project. (i.e. I plan on using $__ for trumpet lessons, $__ for composition/ear-training lessons, $__ for travel, etc.)
I’d like to study with a teacher in Brazil. Can I use this grant for that purpose?
Yes! The grant can be used for both national and international projects and/or private instruction.
Can I use the grant funds towards a recording project?
A certain percentage of the grant may be used towards a recording (if the panel deems it to be a suitable educational project), but the majority of the funds must go towards study and musical development.
Can I write my bio in bullet point form?
No. Please use complete sentences. Grammar is a wonderful tool for musicians.
Can my private teacher write my letter of recommendation?
Yes. Your letter can be written by your private instructor, current/old band director, or a professional musician you regularly work with. Someone that can attest to your musicianship and dedication to the project.
When will I know the results?
The panel will notify the winner in summer 2024. The official public announcement will be made in September 2024.
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
Email lauriefrinkcareergrant@gmail.com
I’m having problems with the form. Who should I contact?
Email lauriefrinkcareergrant@gmail.com. Please try to submit your application earlier than an hour before the deadline to save yourself some stress.