General Guidelines
Applicants must be current professional members (non-students) of NASA to submit proposals for Evening Concert I or for consideration for Evening Concert II or Afternoon Concert III; additional links to video recordings will be required for these proposals. NASA membership is not required to submit proposals for other presentations at the conference.
For accepted proposals, all saxophonists involved in the proposals and that plan to attend the conference must become NASA members by the time of the conference. You may join NASA or renew your membership if your membership is not current.
Applicants may submit up to three (3) proposals of their choice. Proposals for Evening Concert I, Evening Concert III, and/or Afternoon Concert III do not count towards your three proposals.
All proposal applications will be reviewed by members of the Conference Committee for inclusion in the conference program based on the specified requirements and the evaluation process detailed below under "Evaluation and Proposal Rubric."
Unfortunately, due to space and scheduling limitations, not all proposals may be accepted.
Proposal Categories
Evening Concert I
Evening Concert I will be a concerto night with the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE). To perform with PSYWE on Evening Concert I, applicants must submit a separate proposal application that includes additional requirements beyond those for regular performance applications. Please see the "Evening Concert I - Concerto with Wind Ensemble" proposal guidelines and requirements below.
Evening Concert II & Afternoon Concert III
Evening Concert II will be an eclectic concert featuring jazz, new, contemporary, and world music.
Afternoon Concert III will be the closing concert of the conference that will feature mixed chamber and large saxophone ensembles.
There is no separate proposal application for Evening Concert II and Afternoon Concert III. Members of the Conference Committee will program these two concerts based on all received performance proposals. To be considered, proposals must include a justification and an additional link to a recent video recording. Applicants must also be professional members of NASA. Selected applicants will be invited to perform on these two concerts. Please see the additional proposal guidelines and requirements below.
Performance
Solo (with or without piano or rhythm section)
Chamber (up to 7 performers)
Large Ensemble (8 or more performers)
Non-Performance
Lecture
Workshop/Clinic
Panel Discussion
Master Class
All performance applications must include:
Title of Presentation
Justification (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference.
The names of all the musicians involved in the proposed performance and their respective instruments.
Name of ensemble (if applicable).
Biographical information for all performers (maximum 250 words each).
Optional: Large ensemble or chamber ensemble biography (maximum 250 words).
Headshot(s) and/or ensemble photo.
Complete title of proposed piece(s), including movement titles (if applicable), as well as date of composition, name of composer, and composer dates.
An accurate duration of each proposed piece.
An accurate duration of the entire proposed program.
Optional for professional members only: A link to a recent video recording of the applicant(s) performing the proposed repertoire or repertoire similar in difficulty to be considered for Evening Concert II or Afternoon Concert III.
Piano, percussion, and all other auxiliary instrument needs and requirements.
Technical and AV needs and requirements.
All non-performance applications must include:
Title of Presentation
Justification/abstract (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference.
Biographical information for all presenters (maximum 250 words each).
Headshots for all presenters.
Piano, percussion, and all other auxiliary instrument needs and requirements.
Technical and AV needs and requirements.
Proposal Guidelines
Evening Concert I - Concerto with Wind Ensemble
To perform with the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE) on Evening Concert I, applicants must submit a separate proposal application that includes additional requirements beyond those for regular performance applications.
Applicants must be current professional members of NASA at the time of proposal submission. Proposals from NASA members that are current students will not be considered.
Only concertos with wind ensemble will be considered.
The concerto can range from approximately 12-15 minutes in length. Concertos less than 12 minutes are also acceptable (and encouraged).
Applicants are limited to submitting one (1) proposal for Evening Concert I.
Concertos must be composed and completed before proposal submission. Scores and parts must be easily accessible.
A link to a recording of the proposed concerto is required. The recording can be a quality MIDI rendering. The recording does not need to be performed by the applicant.
If the recording in the previous point is a recent performance of the proposed concerto by the applicant, no other recording is required. Otherwise, including a recording that is representative of your playing and equivalent with the difficulty of the proposed concerto is also required.
The proposal must include a copy of the full score.
A brief justification (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference will be required.
Proposals will be evaluated by members of the Conference Committee based on the applicant’s recorded materials and written justification. Members of the Conference Committee will then discuss programming options with the PSYWE Musical Director and make recommendations. The PSYWE Musical Director will have the final decision on programming. For more information about the evaluation process, please review the “Evaluation and Proposal Rubric” below.
The Wind Ensemble will be performing Rush, Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble by Kenneth Fuchs. Please do not submit proposals to perform this piece; applications for this concerto will not be considered.
Selected performers will be invited to perform with PSYWE and must be available to rehearse with the wind ensemble on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM at CSUF. Additionally, the performer should ideally attend an extra rehearsal on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the University of California-Irvine, some time between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, but this is not required.
Please keep in mind that this is a youth wind ensemble with limited rehearsal time. Special consideration will be given to concerti that are appropriate and suitable for such an ensemble.
Evening Concert II & Afternoon Concert III
There is no separate proposal application for Evening Concert II and Afternoon Concert III. Members of the Conference Committee will program these two concerts based on all received performance proposals. To be considered, proposals must include a justification and an additional recording. Applicants must also be professional members of NASA. Selected applicants will be invited to perform on these two concerts. Please see the additional proposal guidelines and requirements below.
Evening Concert II will be an eclectic concert featuring jazz, new, contemporary, and world music. Special consideration will be given to applications that propose these styles of repertoire. For jazz proposals, if selected, a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) will be made available to performers if needed.
Afternoon Concert III will be the closing concert of the conference that will feature mixed chamber and large saxophone ensembles. Special consideration will be given to applications that propose this type of instrumentation and corresponding repertoire.
The applicant must be a current professional member of NASA at the time of proposal submission. Proposals from NASA members that are current students will not be considered.
All performance proposals will be limited to 15 minutes of music.
A brief justification (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference will be required.
Applicants that wish to be considered as featured soloists for Evening Concert II and Afternoon Concert III must include a link to a recent video recording of the applicant(s) performing the proposed repertoire or repertoire similar in difficulty.
If no video recording is attached, the proposal will be considered for standard presentations throughout the conference.
Proposals will be evaluated by members of the Conference Committee based on the submitted recorded materials and written justification. Please review the “Evaluation and Proposal Rubric” below for more information about the evaluation process.
Performance - Solo, Chamber, Large Ensemble
All performance proposals will be limited to 15 minutes of music.
A link to a recent video recording of the applicant(s) performing the proposed repertoire or repertoire similar in difficulty is not required to submit a proposal.
Proposals with no video recording attached will be considered for standard presentations throughout the conference.
Performance proposals are open to all members of NASA. Current student members of NASA (high school, undergraduate, and graduate students) are eligible and encouraged to apply.
A brief justification (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference will be required.
Pianists, rhythm sections, or any other collaborators for performers will not be provided by NASA. We can provide recommendations, but participants will be responsible for any accompanist fees, contacting, and scheduling of rehearsals. It is not mandatory to use the recommended collaborators, and performers are more than welcome to bring their own collaborators for their respective presentations. Please check the conference collaborators page for the availability and pricing of recommended collaborators.
Non-Performance - Lecture, Workshop, Panel Discussion
All non-performance proposals will be limited to 50 minutes in length.
Proposals in these categories should focus on scholarly and/or pedagogical topics. Scholarly presentations, pedagogical workshops and discussions, and lecture recitals are permitted and encouraged.
A brief justification/abstract (maximum 250 words) for presentation at the NASA 2025 Region 2 Conference will be required.
Non-Performance proposals are open to all members of NASA. Current student members of NASA (high school, undergraduate, and graduate students) are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Master Class Presenter Proposal
Master class performance topics will include:
classical solo performance (soloist with piano)
jazz solo performance (soloist with rhythm section)
chamber music (saxophone quartet)
Master classes will last 60 minutes and take up to two performers or chamber groups.
Presenter(s) must be a current professional member(s) of NASA at the time of the conference.
Upon reviewing all master class presenter proposals, members of the Conference Committee will issue a call for performers to participate in these sessions. Master class presenters will be paired with performers in early 2025.
Master Class Participant Proposal
Master class participant proposals will open mid-December once master class presenters have been chosen.
Master classes will last 60 minutes and take up to two performers or chamber groups.
Participant(s) must be current student member(s) of NASA at the time of the conference.
High school, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Master class applicants will be asked to submit a link to a recent recording of the applicant(s) performing their proposed master class repertoire. Traditional saxophone literature and standards are preferred for this recording.
Original compositions for master class performances will not be accepted.
The total amount of music to be performed should be approximately 5-6 minutes in length.
Single movements taken from larger multi-movement works, or excerpts, are acceptable.
Soloists proposing pieces with piano accompaniment are required to perform with piano. Jazz solo performance proposals will be required to perform with rhythm section.
Master class participants may hire a staff pianist or rhythm section if required for their performance. We can provide recommendations, but participants will be responsible for any accompanist fees, contacting, and scheduling of rehearsals. Please check the conference collaborators page for the availability and pricing of recommended collaborators.
Evaluation and Proposal Rubric
Written Justification:
All proposals (except master class proposals) must include a justification (maximum of 250 words) explaining why the applicant believes their presentation should be included in the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 2 Conference at California State University, Fullerton.
Each proposal will be reviewed by members of the Conference Committee and evaluated based on five different criteria. The committee will then make programming decisions according to these criteria.
Artistic Merit: The creativity, originality, and overall quality of the proposal. What are you proposing to contribute to the conference, whether through reimagining traditional repertoire, presenting new contemporary works, or sharing your research? (4 points)
Pedagogical Value: How do you hope your presentation will enhance saxophone teaching and performance? For example: sharing new interpretations of standard repertoire, sharing a new composition or arrangement, performing less frequently programmed works, lecturing on performance practice techniques, or speaking on historical saxophone events. (4 points)
Professional Value: The importance and contribution of the proposed presentation. Why is it valuable for your presentation to be included in the conference? (4 points)
Clarity and Organization: How clearly and logically the proposal is written and structured.
Overall Impact: General impression of the performance's ability to leave a lasting and memorable impact on the audience. (4 points)
Grading Scale
0 = does not address
1 = addresses poorly
2 = addresses with some detail
3 = meets expectations
4 = exceeds expectations
Total possible points: 20 points
Video Recordings: (only for Evening Concert I, Evening Concert II, and Afternoon Concert III consideration)
Applicants submitting video recordings with their proposals to be considered as soloists for Evening Concert I, Evening Concert II, or Afternoon Concert III will have their recordings evaluated on the following criteria:
Technical Proficiency: Assessment of the performer's technical skills and mastery of the instrument. (4 points)
Musicality and Expression: Evaluation of the performer's musical interpretation, expressiveness, and emotional conveyance. (4 points)
Collaboration and Ensemble Skills: Evaluation of the performer's ability to collaborate effectively with other musicians or perform in an ensemble setting. (4 points)
Repertoire Selection: Appropriateness, well-suite for a youth ensemble, parts and score easily accessible. (4 points)
Overall Impact: General impression of the performance's ability to leave a lasting and memorable impact on the audience. (4 points)
Grading Scale
0 = Not Addressed
1 = Poor
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
Total possible points: 20 points
