Elizabeth Stewart
Contributing Writer
As a senior at North Central College, Alyssa Allgood was able to end her senior year on a strong note by recently winning the DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Award for Best Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of 2014.
The winner of the award was announced in the April 29, 2014 issue of DownBeat Magazine. Music majors everywhere submitted their recording applications online.
“I submitted two jazz songs that I recorded with my group, The Alyssa Allgood Quartet,” said Allgood.
Professional jazz musicians and educators judged the songs anonymously based on certain qualities such as musicianship, creativity, improvisation and overall sound.
“I got this award based on the quality of my submission and how my recordings met the values the judges were looking for,” said Allgood.
The criteria for winning the contest are based on the requirements that the magazine uses to review professional CDs.
“I submitted for the Undergrad College Jazz Vocal Soloist category, so I was competing with other college vocalists across the nation,” said Allgood.
Although there was not a ceremony when Allgood received the award, the magazine has recognized her publicly.
“My name and picture are in the most recent issue of DownBeat Magazine,” said Allgood. “I will also receive a certificate and plaque from the magazine.
I am very honored to have been given this award. I was so happy when I received the news that I almost broke out in tears. Given it was a national contest I was incredibly blown away and humbled to have won it. It’s a testament to my work in the Jazz Studies Program at NCC over the last four years.”
Allgood sees this award as not only a unique experience in terms of preparing her application but also future possibilities for jobs.
“The best part about this process was being able to record in a professional music studio with my band and have the freedom to make choices about what to submit,” said Allgood. “I now have a few great quality recordings that I use on my website and send to potential employers.”
There was also a lot of liberty when choosing what songs to submit.
“There were no instructions for what types of songs to record so I had the freedom to choose the best way to represent myself as an artist,” said Allgood. “I think that this award could potentially help me open some doors and lead to other opportunities as I prepare to graduate in June. Being recognized in a national contest in my field will help me distinguish myself from other vocalists.”
However, this award means more to Allgood than just open doors, official recognition and a title.
“For me, it is a validation of what I’m doing musically, since I was able to choose what and how to record for the submission,” said Allgood. “Music is such a personal form of expression that having my own voice recognized in this way is extremely empowering. I am so sure that singing jazz is what I’m meant to do and winning this award has helped me continue to believe in myself.”
Allgood practices her singing constantly, making it no surprise that she won the award.
“I practice some aspect of music everyday, whether that’s working on technical skills, learning new songs, listening to music or arranging music,” said Allgood.
