AMEF Student Recognition Award Program

Music Performance | Community Service

The AMEF Student Recognition Awards seek to recognize and assist deserving Alberta music students for music performance excellence, and for utilizing their musical talents through active volunteer community service. 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.

Each award is $1,000 in the form of an AMEF gift certificate which is to be spent towards either music lessons, music school tuition or for music equipment and /or music books from Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. Only one award per person, per year will be awarded in each category.

Music Performance

Eligibility

• Open to music students ages 10 to 19 years
  (as of application deadline of March 31, 2013),
  studying in the province of Alberta.
•  Applicants must be a permanent resident of Alberta. 
• Open to students of Winds, Percussion, Strings, Piano, Organ, and Voice.

Requirements

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM
2. COMPLETED VIDEO RECORDING: 
   A video performance of one song, any style (classical, contemporary, opera, musical theatre, jazz, rock, country, etc.) demonstrating the student’s musical abilities, stage presence and stylistic strength. Video projects cannot exceed 5 minutes in length and must be appropriate for an educational setting. 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. If you do not have a YouTube account you may create one here.
   
   Once uploaded, include the link to your video URL on your application form. The title of the YouTube video should read “AMEF Award Application in Music Performance – (your name).” In the notes, 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.)
3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION:
   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.

Community Service

Eligibility

• Open to music students ages 10 to 19 years (as of application deadline of March 31, 2013), studying in the province of Alberta.
• Applicants must be a permanent resident of Alberta.
•  Open to students of Winds, Percussion, Strings, Piano, Organ, and Voice.

Requirements

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM
2. 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. 
   
   Video must be submitted online by posting it to a YouTube account. If you do not have a YouTube account you may create one here.
   
   Once uploaded, include the link to your video URL on your application form. The title of the YouTube video should read “AMEF Award Application in Community Service – (your name).” In the notes, 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.)
3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION:
   Proof of service will be required in the form of an up-to-date letter from the student volunteer’s supervisor. The letter should state the length of time that they have known the student and the student’s length of service; speak about his/her character; commitment to music, and any other relevant information. The letter should also state the supervisor’s opinion of the student’s volunteerism value to the community and state why they think the student should receive this award.

Note:

1. 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.
2. Volunteer activity must be current or retroactive to one year while attending school.
3. 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 public will vote for their favourite video in each category using an online voting platform. The names of the “People’s Choice” winners will be recognized on AMEF’s website and at Music Conference Alberta. View 2013 winners »

AMEF Student Recognition Award Information

Purpose

1. To assist and recognize young, outstanding Alberta music students with music performance potential and excellence
2. 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
3. To encourage creativity, innovation and promote excellence in music education
4. To strengthen the collaboration among music students, music educators, and the fine arts community in Alberta

Judging

1. The Music Performance judging will be done by a panel of professional performing artists, musicians and music teachers with expertise in a variety of musical backgrounds.  
2. The Community Service judging will be conducted by a panel of professionals from the community involved with volunteerism, as well as music teachers with extensive expertise in a variety of musical backgrounds.
3. The judging committees, at their discretion, may decide not to grant an award in any given year.
4. Previous recipients are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to new applicants.
5. The decisions of the judging committees are final.

Awards

1.  One award will be presented in each category. Each is an award in the form of a $1,000 AMEF gift certificate which is to be spent towards music lessons, music school tuition or for music equipment and/or music books from Long and McQuade Music Ltd. in order to further their music development.
2.  The names of the winners, the honourable mentions, and the “People’s Choice” winners will be displayed at Music Conference Alberta. The award winners may be asked to perform at a future AMEF event.