BENEFITS/
REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAMS
BENEFITS
Savvy School
All participating programs listed on our website.
Collaborative Visioning
Aid recruitment and fundraising while amplifying creative problem-solving.
Instructional Curriculum
Access to instructional videos on developing big ideas.
Distinction
Set your school apart as a forward-thinking hub for creative development, a story worth sharing with students, donors, and the community.
REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
Any North American higher-education music program.
Faculty Mentor Support
If selected as semi-finalist, send faculty mentor to CMS regional conference.
Student Team Support
If selected as semi-finalist, send student team to CMS regional conference (registration waived).
Administration
An Administrator (dean, director, chair, etc.) must agree to support the project.
Finance
Music or university business office must agree to facilitate $10,000 project funding for winning teams.
Project Accountability
If selected as a winner, ensure that student project is realized.
FACULTY MENTORS
BENEFITS
Community
Join a cohort of higher ed colleagues committed to student exploration and empowerment.
Training
Receive innovation training applicable to your life and work.
Student Empowerment
Help your students dream big, explore their potential, and make a difference.
Participation
If selected as semi-finalist, attend CMS regional conference with your students.
Demonstrate Leadership
Step up as a leader promoting big ideas and innovation in music higher ed.
REQUIREMENTS
Preparation
In May 2026, watch short overview video and join three-hour virtual “Innovation GAME” that walks through the process, no prior experience necessary.
Teaching
Have students watch training videos. The Savvy Musician 2.0 book is recommended, but not required. Devote 120-180 minutes of class time in Fall 2026 to project development. (We provide lesson plans.)
Team Support
Stay committed to your students as they advance. Ensure activities are completed and submitted.
Conference Attendance
If team is a semi-finalist, accompany them to the CMS regional conference.
Communicate
Respond in a timely manner to correspondence. Monitor team progress.
Execution
Oversee successful completion of project and grant if your team is a winner. Submit final grant report.
ALL STUDENTS
BENEFITS
Creative Mindset
Learn savvy perspectives and develop tools for expanding your creativity.
Collaboration
Join with your peers to use music to impact your community and beyond.
Growth
Expand your potential to realize big ideas.
Think Big!
We offer tools to ignite imagination adn amplify impact.
REQUIREMENTS
Size
Teams must include 2-5 student members of any major. Interdisciplinary participants welcome.
Level
Both undergrad and grad students eligible. Spring 2028 graduates may be replaced if at least half the original team remains through completion.
Participation
Members must be available and committed to all phases of the competition if selected.
Follow Through
Stay commited to the process and respond to communications in a timely manner.
SEMI-FINALISTS
BENEFITS
Live Pitch
Pitch your project at the CMS Regional conference
Networking
Meet and interact with other creatives
Training
Receive additional training from innovation professionals.
REQUIREMENTS
Keep Learning!
Continue to work with your faculty advisor and participate in the additional training offered.
Conference Attendance
Semi-finalists will travel to their CMS regional conference.
Make a Pitch
Prepare and deliver a powerhouse pitch!
FINALISTS
BENEFITS
Project Mentorship
Your team will receive additional guidance.
National Promotion
Finalists will receive recognition through CMS and the Savvy Innovation Challenge.
Virtual Round Competition
Finalists will pitch their project in a public virtual competition.
REQUIREMENTS
Submit Video Proposal
Work with your team to create your final video pitch to be submitted in June 2027.
Promote Your Project
Share the virtual competition website with friends and family. Encourage your community to vote for their favorite project.
Keep Thinking Big!
Remember what you have learned and continue to use music to transform our world.
WINNERS
BENEFITS
$10,000 Grant
Receive funding to realize your project.
University Prizes
Your university will receive exciting “gear” for your music program, supplied by our sponsors.
Consulting
Winning teams will be paired with a professional consultant to aid in the realization of your project.
CMS National Presentation
Winning teams will be invited to share their vision on a CMS National Conference presentation (Fall 2027).
Competition Video
Share your project with the world through a documentary style short film.
REQUIREMENTS
Project Completion
Winning teams must fully execute their project in the 2027-2028 academic year.
Present at CMS National Conference
At least some of your team members should share your project in Fall 2027 (Denver, CO).
Document Progress
Capture some of the work you do via video, to be integrated into the project documentary.
Submit Final Report
Provide a report at the conclusion of your project.