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REQUIREMENTS

Music Programs

  1. Eligibility. Any North American higher-education music program may participate.

  2. Administration. An administrator (dean, director, chair, etc.) must agree to support the project. Includes backing faculty mentor and student team (2-5 members) to attend a CMS Regional Conference if selected as semi-finalists (student registration is waived).

  3. Faculty. Each program must designate a faculty mentor who will address related content in a class and support student efforts.

  4. Finance. The music or university business office must agree to facilitate the $10,000 project funding if your program's team is chosen as a winner.

Faculty Mentors

  1. Course. Select a Fall 2026 class you teach to incorporate relevant competition content.

  2. Orientation. Watch a 30-minute overview video and join a three-hour virtual “Innovation GAME” that walks through the process.

  3. Instruction. Dedicate 120 minutes (minimum) to 200 minutes (ideal) of in-class time, supplemented by additional videos students view independently.

  4. Book. Consider using The Savvy Musician 2.0 in your class (recommended, not required). It is packed with resources to help students succeed on these projects and in their careers.

  5. Communication. Maintain timely correspondence with the Savvy team when requested.

  6. Submission. Ensure one student project from your class is submitted to the competition’s preliminary round. (If multiple proposals emerge, choose the strongest one to advance.)

  7. Travel. Accompany your team to the CMS Regional conference if selected as a semi-finalist.

  8. Coaching. Continue mentoring your team for semi-final and final rounds, if selected.

  9. Execution. Oversee successful completion of the project and grant if your team is a winner.

  10. Reporting. Submit the final grant report on time.

Student Teams

  1. Size. Teams must include 2–5 student members. Others may assist but are not official competitors.

  2. Majors. Students from any major may compete. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged but not required.

  3. Level. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. If members graduate before Spring 2028 (when winning projects must be completed), their roles may be replaced. At least half the original team must remain through project completion.

  4. Communication. Maintain timely correspondence with the Savvy team when requested, and meet all deadlines.

  5. Participation. Members must be available and committed to all phases of the competition if selected.

    • SEMI-FINALS. Compete live at a Regional CMS conference (Feb–Apr 2027).

    • FINALS. Present in a national virtual competition (June 2028).

    • WINNERS. Execute the project during the 2027–28 academic year, supported by a $10,000 grant.

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