Common Q&A: Musician Submissions
Q: When is next musician submission period?
A: From November 1st - December 31st, 2025
Q: I missed the deadline, can I still apply?
A: No, only this year’s applicants get opportunities until February 28 next year. Please apply within the next submission period: November 1st - December 31st, 2025
Q: When and where does TUJF take place this year?
A: At Mel Lastman Square, from August 29th to September 1st, 2025 (Labour Day Weekend)
Q: Do musicians get paid?
A: Absolutely, that's the whole point of this festival
Q: How much do musicians get paid?
A: Will be decided by April 31st with how much the funding is secured. However, we follow the Musician Union’s rate recommendation if not more.
*EAA is a nonprofit organization run by volunteer board members. The programming budget is formed by 80% government funding and 20% sponsorship, therefore, the size and performance fee solely depend on the funding. However, our priority is to pay our artists (without being on bankruptcy, of course).
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Category 1. 50% or more of your band members must be either: Students, 35 or younger; or Recent graduates within the last 5 years (2019 or earlier)
Category 2. Equity-Deserving groups of emerging artists (BIPOC, Francophone, LGBTQ+, artists with disability, and more) Aged 45 or younger
Q: What do I need to submit?
A: 1. Demos (Up to 3 songs: .mp3 only): indicate original songs or arrangements and when they were recorded
2. Band Bio with team & leader photos (high-resolution photos only: for promotional purposes) over 1MB
3. A fan page: Website, Social Media of your band’s official page (if not applicable, leader’s)
Q: Will the festival be in person or online?
A: In-person concerts and online live streaming may be offered. In the case that the government doesn't allow live concerts, we will do it online only.
Q: What time is the submission due?
A: 11:59 PM ET (December 31st, 2025) **Not accepting any submissions until November 1st.
Q: When do we get the result whether we get in or not?
A: One of our representatives will contact you via email after the adjudication period. You will hear back from us by April 30th.
Q: What do the juries adjudicate and how do they do it?
A: 1. General Performance: Dynamics, Expression of Emotion, Groove
2. Musician Excellence: Musicality, Creativity, Technical Proficiency
**Juries receive only music files without any information: not even band names or music titles are given; only music files with just numbers: #1-1, #2-1, #3-1, etc.
Q: Who are the juries?
A: Music professors and award-winning educators/musicians: names are undisclosed until the lineup is announced.
Q: What are the next steps after my band gets accepted?
A: 1. A TUJF representative will contact you for details.
2. Simple explanations: consent of accepting to be a TUJF musician - Sign the musicians’ agreement - Video contest for an award/additional compensation - Performance(s) at TUJF event(s)
Q: What are the benefits of being a TUJF musician?
A: 1. Additional gig opportunities: TUJF organizes 4 annual events including the Summer Live Music Festival, T.U. Jazz Fest, Live Music on Yonge Street and WinterTide. You may be invited to more than one performance.
2. Promotion support: Basic social media post 1-3 times per band; TUJF works with publicity companies to promote TUJF musicians individually.
3. Networking opportunity: TUJF invites music/entertainment industry leaders and specialists to give our musicians ongoing performance opportunities.
Q: What are the potential performances for the applicants?
A: WinterTide at RBG (Hamilton), Willowdale Concert Series (Lee Lifeson Arts Park), Summer Live Music Festival (Distillery District & Ontario Place), Canada Day Celebration (Mel Lastman Square), T.U. Jazz Fest (Mel Lastman Square), Live Music on Yonge (Willowdale), Live Lounge (Novotel North York), and many more of EAA partnered events.
Q: How long is the opportunity period for applicants? (How long do I get opportunities from EAA within 2025 submissions)
A: 1 year (from March 1st, 2025 - February 28th, 2026)
Q: Where should I contact for any further questions or concerns?
A: We can be contacted via email: info@tujazz.com
