Take Note

About Take Note

Now in its seventh year, Take Note is a program that addresses the underrepresentation of women and gender diverse musicians in jazz by celebrating and promoting women and gender diverse leaders on stage and in high schools across Victoria. Each year, the Take Note Jazz Leader is commissioned and supported to develop new music for presentation at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and receives professional and artistic development opportunities, as well as delivering a range of educational activities.

We believe that ‘if you can see it, you can be it’.

The Take Note initiative is supported by The Harry Kestin Foundation, The Robert Salzer Foundation, The Angior Family Foundation, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (University of Melbourne) and Monash University.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival wishes to acknowledge the generous support provided by the late Harry Kestin, who was instrumental in conceiving this program in 2019 and beyond.

2025 Applications

We have begun the search for an early to mid-career jazz leader to lead the Take Note program into its seventh year.

The successful candidate will receive:

• A $7,000 cash bursary to support the development of new original music to be presented at the 2025 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
• A performance at the 2025 Melbourne International Jazz Festival (17-26 October), for which the artist will be paid an additional performance fee.
• Rehearsal space in the lead up to the MIJF 2025 performance.
• Ticketing package for MIJF 2025 and networking opportunities based around festival events.
• Professional and artistic development opportunities, shaped around the needs of the Jazz Leader.
• Regional and metropolitan mentoring engagements as part of the delivery of educational activities in secondary schools for which the artist will be paid an additional facilitation fee.
• University mentoring engagement for which the artist will be paid an additional facilitation fee.

You are eligible to apply for Take Note if you:

• Are a woman or gender diverse musician
• Identify as an early to mid-career jazz leader
• Reside in Victoria
• Currently work as a professional musician in the Victorian jazz industry

How do we define an early to mid-career jazz leader?

We will accept applications from anyone who self-identifies as an early to mid-career jazz leader. As a guide, you will likely have practiced professionally for less than 15 years, especially in the context of a band/ensemble leader. There are no specific age restrictions or requirements.

How do I apply?

Applications are open until 12pm on Tuesday 10 December 2024.

Please ensure you read the 2025 MIJF Take Note Application Pack. When you’re ready to apply, you can submit your application via our application form.

Any questions? Please contact Merinda Dias-Jayasinha, Festival & Programs Coordinator on merinda@melbournejazz.com or by calling (03) 9001 1388.

Program Alumni

In 2024, flutist, composer and producer Erica Tucceri became MIJF’s sixth Take Note Leader. Her performance at MIJF 2024 with her 10-piece ensemble had audiences dancing and grooving, and deeply listening to her soulful flute, lush strings, and powerhouse rhythm section. Tucceri also led workshops in high schools teaching students about improvisation and how it can lead to composition and creativity for yourself and with others. Read more about Erica Tucceri on our Content Hub.

The first iteration of the program, Tomorrow is My Turn, commissioned a new work by bassist and composer Claire Cross – Into Light – and brought a touring band to metropolitan and regional high schools with an improvisation workshop and an opportunity to see women leading the way in music.

The initiative returned under the name Take Note in 2020 with saxophonist Holly Moore as the Jazz Leader. Holly premiered her suite of music at MIJF’s online music festival These Digital Times and connected with hundreds of students across Victoria with her online jazz workshops.

Trombonist and composer Elliot Lamb was the third Take Note leader in 2021, premiering their suite Between Worlds to a sold-out audience at The JazzLab, and receiving critical acclaim. They also inspired high school students across Melbourne with their jazz and improvisation workshops, giving students accessible tools to build skills and confidence in improvisation, whilst advocating for and championing gender diverse and LGBTIQA+ role models in jazz.

In 2022, saxophonist and composer Flora Carbo was selected as MIJF’s fourth Take Note leader. Performing a new suite of music with her ensemble, Ecosystem, Carbo performed to a sold-out audience at MIJF 2022. She also led workshops in high schools, inspiring and instilling confidence in students across Victoria to improvise and connect with others through music.

In 2023, composer and saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul became MIJF’s fifth Take Note leader. I Still Miss You, her powerful new suite for 12 musicians left the sold-out audience at MIJF 2023 overcome with emotion. Durongpisitkul also led workshops with her trio Koi Kingdom in high schools across Victoria, teaching students about collaborative composition and cultivating bonds with an ensemble.