Application for the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award is now open for CvA students! You can apply through this form.

Closing date for application: 1 February 2026, 12 pm (noon).

Who can participate?

• Students: Master, Bachelor, and Preliminary Year students from CvA
• Alumni: Graduated in or after 2021; Max. one alumnus per band; Alumni cannot be the band leader or win individual prizes
• Availability: Your band must be free on April 7 & 8 (evenings) and April 20–22 (semi-finals, band coaching, and final)
• Band size: No maximum
• Band leaders can sign up with only one project
• Band members can sign up for multiple projects but play in a maximum of three bands during the semi-finals

What to submit? Two recordings (MP3):

• One arrangement of a jazz standard (or comparable composition)
• One original composition
• We understand that not everyone can make professional recordings, but the jury will notice poor sound quality. So: take great care with the audio. If you don't know how to record well, ask for help
• Submissions must feature improvisation and cannot be entirely pre-composed

Maximum total length: 8 minutes

• Your two recordings together may not exceed 8 minutes
• Shortened versions are allowed
• If you cut, make sure the transitions are smooth and musical
• Every cut must be mentioned in the comments of your application. Missing information about edits will result in point deduction

Line-up requirements

• The recording must feature the same exact line-up that will perform in the semi-finals and the final; no substitutes
• Exceptions are rare and must be discussed beforehand with anna-maria.nitschke@ahk.nl

If your band gets selected for the Semi-Final / Final:

• The band coaching for the (semi-)final is compulsory
• You are required to play 15 minutes max
• You must play at least one original composition
• You must play by heart, so without sheet music
• All participating bands have to arrange and perform one piece from a given list of compositions (the list will be shared after the pre-selection for the semi-finals)
• This year’s theme of the competition is TBA