About the SRA Awards
AMEF Student Recognition Awards seek to recognize and assist deserving Alberta music students for excellence in music performance, and for utilizing their musical talents in active volunteer community service. The awards assist these students in their musical studies. Applicants compete in either the Music Performance or Community Service categories that showcase their skills both within and outside the music curriculum using video media. Applicants from all musical genres are welcome to apply. Applicants are always encouraged to use a collaborative pianist where at all possible.
Each award is $500 in the form of an AMEF certificate which is to be spent toward either music lessons, music school tuition, or for music equipment and/or music books from their local music retailer. Only one award per person, per year will be awarded in each category.
*Prior year recipients of the AMEF Student Recognition Awards in any category including People's Choice are not eligible to reapply for the category in which they have previously won.
Application deadline was March 31, 2024.
General Information
Purpose
- To assist and recognize young, outstanding Alberta music students with music performance potential and excellence
- To assist and commend outstanding Alberta music students who are actively involved in community service (specifically when they use their musical gifts and education), demonstrating excellence in volunteerism, leadership and who are committed to making a difference in their community
- To encourage creativity, innovation and promote excellence in music education
- To strengthen the collaboration among music students, music educators, and the fine arts community in Alberta
Judging
- Judging will be conducted by a panel of music teachers with expertise in a variety of musical genres, as well as professionals from the community involved with volunteerism.
- The judging committees, at their discretion, may decide not to grant an award in any given year.
- The decisions of the judging committees are final.
Awards
- One award will be presented in each category, excluding the People's Choice Award. Each is an award in the form of a $500 AMEF certificate which is to be spent towards music lessons, music school tuition, or for music equipment and/or music books from their local music retailer in order to further their music development.
- The names of the winners will be widely disseminated. Winners may be asked to perform at a future AMEF event which may include the prestigious Gala Concert at Music Conference Alberta [date and location TBA].
Music Performance
Eligibility
- CATEGORY A: open to music students in junior/senior high, minimum 10 years of age (as of application deadline of March 31, 2024)
- CATEGORY B: open to music students who have completed high school, up to and including 25 years of age (as of application deadline of March 31, 2024)
- Applicants must be a resident of Alberta and/or studying in Alberta.
- Open to students of Winds, Percussion, Strings, Piano, Organ, and Voice from all musical genres. Applicants are always encouraged to use a collaborative pianist where at all possible.
Requirements
- COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (deadline for applications was March 31, 2024)
- COMPLETED VIDEO RECORDING:
- A video performance of one selection, any style (classical, contemporary, opera, musical theatre, jazz, rock, country, etc.) demonstrating the student’s musical abilities, stage presence and stylistic strength
- The video should replicate a typical performance setting as much as possible.
- Video projects cannot exceed 5 minutes in length and must be appropriate for an educational setting. In the case of performances where the musical integrity cannot be maintained within the stipulated 5 minutes, leeway will be granted for up to 30 additional seconds. After that, the application will be disqualified.
- Performance can be a cappella or accompanied, as long as the applicant is the featured soloist.
- Students may submit only one video, completed within the last 12 months.
- Video must be submitted online by posting it to a YouTube account and changing the privacy setting to Public.
- Once uploaded, include the link to your video URL on your application form.
- The title of the YouTube video should read: “20__ (current year) AMEF SRA Application in Music Performance Category A (or Category B) – (your name).”
- In the Notes section of the YouTube video, please include your full name, your instrument, and the title and composer of the piece featured in your video recording. (Submitted video must be significantly different if this is a category that has previously been entered.)
- LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: (deadline for receipt of letter of recommendation is March 31, 2024)
One letter of recommendation (maximum one page), from someone outside of the student’s family who knows him/her as a person and a musician. The recommendation should include the length of time that they have known the student; notes about his/her character, commitment to music, or other relevant information as to why this student should receive this award. Please email letter to: info@amef.ca.
Community Service
Eligibility
- CATEGORY A: open to music students in junior/senior high, minimum 10 years of age (as of application deadline of March 31, 2024)
- CATEGORY B: open to music students who have completed high school, up to and including 25 years of age (as of application deadline of March 31, 2024)
- Applicants must be a resident of Alberta and/or studying in Alberta.
- Open to students of Winds, Percussion, Strings, Piano, Organ, and Voice from all musical genres. Applicants are always encouraged to use a collaborative pianist where at all possible.
Requirements
- COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (deadline for applications was March 31, 2024)
- COMPLETED VIDEO RECORDING:
- Video of the student demonstrating his/her volunteer services at his/her organization, clearly exhibiting how the student incorporates musical abilities in accomplishing his/her volunteer service.
- Video projects cannot exceed 5 minutes in length and must be appropriate for an educational setting. In the case of performances where the the musical integrity cannot be maintained within the stipulated 5 minutes, leeway will be granted for up to 30 additional seconds. After that, the application will be disqualified.
- Video must be submitted online by posting it to a YouTube account and changing the privacy setting to Public.
- Once uploaded, include the link to your video URL on your application form.
- The title of the YouTube video should read : “20 (current year) AMEF SRA Application in Community Service Category A (or Category B) – (your name).”
- In the Notes section of the YouTube video, please include your full name, your instrument, and the title and composer of the piece featured in your video recording. (Submitted video must be significantly different if this is a category that has previously been entered.)
- LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: (deadline for receipt of letter of recommendation was March 31, 2024)
- One letter of recommendation (maximum one page), is required from a person outside the applicant's family and directly related to the applicant's volunteer work and should address the applicant's duties, how well they were completed, the impact of the applicant's volunteering, the applicant's character and volunteerism, and any growth or development noted. The letter could also state why they think the student should receive this award. Please email letter to: info@amef.ca.
Note:
- Student must have volunteered his/her services and not have received compensation for services performed. Examples of volunteer areas and organizations include community work with various city offices such as recreation departments, libraries, police departments or senior citizen groups, hospital/health care agencies, churches, or assisting with scout groups.
- Volunteer activity must have occurred between January 2022 – December 2022 while attending school.
- Judgment will be made on the basis of the amount of responsibility assumed by student, quality of service and importance to the community and amount of initiative exhibited by the student in organizing and/or accomplishing the service.
The AMEF “People’s Choice”
The judges will select, at their discretion, the top five video entries in each category that will then be presented on AMEF’s website. The recipient may be asked to perform at a future AMEF event which may include the prestigious Gala Concert at Music Conference Alberta [date and location TBA].
Applications
The deadline to complete application including letter of recommendation was March 31, 2024.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS: Rolf Bertsch and Robert George
For more information, contact Crystal Krips, Executive Director: info@amef.ca.
