The American Music Abroad (AMA) Program 2024-2025 is now accepting applications. The American Music Abroad (AMA) program connects people all around the world via education, enjoyment, and the heritage of the United States Department of State’s 70 years of musical diplomacy. The American Music Ambassadors program is a direct descendent of the Jazz Ambassadors programs of the 1950s, and it continues to illustrate the potential of cultural diplomacy as a vehicle for bringing people together via music, the global language.
The Tour Season 2024-2025 will pick 10 bands of three to five members that display exceptional musical talent, aptitude in performance and educational programming, and adaptability for varied worldwide audiences. The ten selected bands will participate in an international tour to one to three countries over a 17-21day touring period from September 2024 to July 2025 (based on band availability).
They welcome all musical genres, including a-cappella, country, hip hop, rap, rock, indie, classical, folk, Latin, rhythm & blues, soul, jazz, Broadway, gospel, and Native American music. Selected bands will be asked to partner with U.S. Embassies worldwide, creating programming that will connect people across cultural divides, further ensuring a sustainable impact for the rich legacy of musical diplomacy in the U.S. Department of State.
25 Semi-finalist bands will participate in live auditions in New York City or Las Vegas (chosen from online application). Selected bands will be given a 15-minute audition slot on their selected day (March 4-7, 2024), from which ten bands will be selected to participate in the 2024 – 2025 AMA Tour Season.
Benefits:
- Each musician in the band will receive a $300 honorarium per tour day along with U.S. Government per diems for the cities they visit.
- All travel and production expenses are covered.
Eligibility:
- Bands must be able to tour internationally for 17 to 21 days between September 2024 and July 2025 (based on band availability). Tours will visit 1-3 countries. Bands cannot select or request which countries they are sent to.
- The program is open to all genres of music.
- Each band must be composed of 3 to 5 artists.
- All artists must be U.S. Citizens.
- All artists must be 18 years of age or older.
- Artists are not eligible for the program if they have been convicted of a felony or are delinquent on child support payments.
- Alumni Bands that have participated in the American Music Abroad International Touring Program three or more times in the last five years are not eligible to apply (the virtual AMA programs do not count).
Application:
Each applying band must submit three (3) videos representing your band’s music. Videos must be on YouTube or Vimeo and of the band applying. If the video is private, provide an appropriate password. Bands do not need to create new material/content/music for the application. Applications officially close on January 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST.
