BENEFITS/
REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAMS
BENEFITS
Savvy School
All participating programs listed on our website.
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Collaborative Visioning
Aid recruitment and fundraising while amplifying creative problem-solving.
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Instructional Curriculum
Access to instructional videos on developing big ideas.
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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.
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Faculty Mentor Support
If selected as semi-finalist, send faculty mentor to CMS regional conference.
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Student Team Support
If selected as semi-finalist, send student team to CMS regional conference (registration waived).
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Administration
An Administrator (dean, director, chair, etc.) must agree to support the project.
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Finance
Music or university business office must agree to facilitate $10,000 project funding for winning teams.
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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.
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Training
Receive innovation training applicable to your life and work.
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Student Empowerment
Help your students dream big, explore their potential, and make a difference.
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Participation
If selected as semi-finalist, attend CMS regional conference with your students.
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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.
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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.)
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Team Support
Stay committed to your students as they advance. Ensure activities are completed and submitted.
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Conference Attendance
If team is a semi-finalist, accompany them to the CMS regional conference.
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Communicate
Respond in a timely manner to correspondence. Monitor team progress.
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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.
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Collaboration
Join with your peers to use music to impact your community and beyond.
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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.
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Level
Both undergrad and grad students eligible. Spring 2028 graduates may be replaced if at least half the original team remains through completion.
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Participation
Members must be available and committed to all phases of the competition if selected. ​
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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
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Networking
Meet and interact with other creatives
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Training
Receive additional training from innovation professionals.
REQUIREMENTS
Keep Learning!
Continue to work with your faculty advisor and participate in the additional training offered.
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Conference Attendance
Semi-finalists will travel to their CMS regional conference.
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Make a Pitch
Prepare and deliver a powerhouse pitch!
FINALISTS
BENEFITS
Project Mentorship
Your team will receive additional guidance.
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National Promotion
Finalists will receive recognition through CMS and the Savvy Innovation Challenge.
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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.
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Promote Your Project
Share the virtual competition website with friends and family. Encourage your community to vote for their favorite project.
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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.
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University Prizes
Your university will receive exciting “gear” for your music program, supplied by our sponsors.​
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Consulting
Winning teams will be paired with a professional consultant to aid in the realization of your project.
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CMS National Presentation
Winning teams will be invited to share their vision on a CMS National Conference presentation (Fall 2027).​
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Competition Video
Share your project with the world through a documentary style short film.
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REQUIREMENTS
Project Completion
Winning teams must fully execute their project in the 2027-2028 academic year.
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Present at CMS National Conference
At least some of your team members should share your project in Fall 2027 (Denver, CO).
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Document Progress
Capture some of the work you do via video, to be integrated into the project documentary.
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Submit Final Report
Provide a report at the conclusion of your project.