Once again this year, the Conservatory Talent Award provides a stage for talented arrangers! Would you like to participate in the prestigious Ruud Bos Challenge and have a chance to win a unique title? Then grab your chance now!

The winner will have the opportunity to develop within the Paradox Jazz Orchestra’s professional big band environment. This means not only a wonderful development process under the guidance of Jasper Staps, but also the chance to work with fantastic young musicians such as Koen Smits, Niek de Bruijn and Jesse Schilderink. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work with established names such as Teus Nobel, Rembrandt Frerichs, Jan Menu and Jos Machtel.

How does the competition work?
At the end of February, you will hear whether you were selected among the entries. You may also immediately pass on your preference from eight compositions after that.
In March and April, you will work on an assigned composition, to be arranged specifically for the Paradox Jazz Orchestra. During this process, you will receive coaching from Jasper Staps (Paradox Jazz Orchestra).
The week before the performance, you will attend the Paradox Jazz Orchestra rehearsal. Here you will work with Jasper Staps and the musicians on the final nuances of your arrangement. During CTA 206 on April 11, enjoy the performance and win this wonderful prize!

Register now using this form!

Game rules:

• Sign up is possible until Feb. 1, 2026 23:59
• Participants are currently or have in the past studied at a Dutch conservatory
• Participants should submit 2 arrangements written by themselves for reference
• Participants should attend both rehearsal and award night
• Final delivery date of the first draft of the package is Feb. 22
• Package completion date is March 29
• Participants receive no compensation for the arrangement
• The competition is judged by a professional jury, no correspondence can be entered into about the result
• Previous winners of the Ruud Bos Challenge are excluded from participation

For questions about the contest and/or participation, please contact cta@jazzinduketown.nl. This e-mail address can also be used for sending large files.

The Ruud Bos Challenge is part of the Conservatory Talent Award and is made possible by the North Brabant Cultural Fund, the Mingus Fund and the Paradox Jazz Orchestra.