Rudolf Nissim Prize: $5,000
Here’s a wonderful composition contest to enter for all my composer friends:
This $5000 cash prize is presented annually to an ASCAP concert composer for a work requiring a conductor that has not been performed professionally. A jury of conductors selects the winning score. Dr. Rudolf Nissim, former head of ASCAP’s Foreign Department and a devoted friend of contemporary composers, established this annual prize through a bequest. Support for the world premiere of the selected work will be provided. Previous recipients are ineligible.
ELIGIBILITY: All living concert composer members of ASCAP. Prior winners of this Prize are ineligible.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Postmark no later than November 15, 2011.
MATERIAL TO BE SUBMITTED: The bound score (copy, not original manuscript), of ONE published or unpublished original concert work (no arrangements) requiring a conductor, scored for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, or large wind/brass ensemble (with or
Read MoreFinale Music Composition Contest
Here is a great opportunity for collegiate students from Finale Music, makers of Finale notation software.
2012 Finale® National Composition Contest
In partnership with MakeMusic, Inc., and the acclaimed American string quartet JACK Quartet, the American Composers Forum announces the 2012 Finale® National Composition Contest.
The objective of this competition is to encourage creativity by student composers who are currently enrolled in graduate and undergraduate institutions in the United States.
Three students from the total applicant pool will be chosen as finalists. Each will receive a cash prize and be asked to write a string quartet for JACK Quartet, which will be workshopped and performed by the ensemble in New York City in September, 2012. Ultimately, one of these pieces will be chosen to receive the final prize, which includes an additional cash award and future public performances by JACK Quartet.
Full contest guidelines, application information and submission link are available here.
Application deadline: midnight on November 15, 2011 (electronic submission)
Composer Institute 2012
The Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute offers a unique week-long intensive immersion into the world of a major American symphony orchestra. The next Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute will take place January 2-7, 2012. The scores and application must be postmarked by April 15th, 2011.
Under the guidance of composer Aaron Jay Kernis, up to nine composers will have orchestral works rehearsed and performed by the Minnesota Orchestra and will participate in a series of seminars on musical, career, business and professional development issues.
Composers receive consultations with Kernis and Music Director Osmo Vänskä before and after the rehearsals. They also meet with Orchestra members and attend small-group sessions with leading music industry professionals. Composers’ travel and hotel will be provided.
All works selected for the Institute will be performed in a public concert, conducted by Music Director Osmo Vänskä on Friday, January 6, 2012, 8 pm.
Here are some details of the 2010 institute:
Seven composers were selected as participants in the Minnesota Orchestra’s 10th Annual Composer Institute. Chosen from a pool of 167 candidates through a competitive process, these seven composers hail from locations throughout the U.S., and their works represent a variety of musical styles. They are:
Taylor Brizendine (Los Angeles, CA): MANDRAGORA OFFICINARUM
Wang Jie (Phildelphia, PA): SYMPHONY #1
Polina Nazaykinskaya (Austin, TX): WINTER BELLS
Clint Needham (Bloomington, IN): THE BODY ELECTRIC
Ben Phelps (Los Angeles, CA): OVERTURE MAXIMUS
Narong Prangcharoen (Kansas City, MO): NAMASKAR
David Weaver (Philadelphia, PA): MUTATIS MUTANDIS
These seven composers travelled to Minneapolis for six days of rehearsals, seminars and tutoring sessions from October 24 to 30, 2010, culminating in a public Future Classics concert of their works with The Minnesota Orchestra led by the Orchestra’s Music Director Osmo Vänskä.
“We received dozens of exceptionally-crafted scores, which made the final choices difficult,” says Composer Institute Director Aaron Jay Kernis. “The high quality of submissions confirms what we know from past Institutes: the future of new orchestral music is vibrant and strong.” The distinguished jury consisted of composers Augusta Read Thomas, Bright Sheng, former Institute participant Stacy Garrop and Minnesota Orchestra Assistant Conductor Courtney Lewis. Aaron Jay Kernis chaired the panel.
Read More2011 Piano Explorer Composition Contest
The 2011 Composition Contest theme is any interesting one: “Musical Instruments.” The January Piano Explorer says this about the contest:
Every instrument has a different sound and character. Some are deep and serious, while others are bright and sparkly. Some are perfect for quick-moving, flashy passages, and some are best for slow bass lines.
Pick an instrument and write a piece that describes the instrument you chose. Your piece must be written for piano, but try to make the piano sound like the instrument you picked. On the back of your music, write a few sentences to explain how the music depicts the instrument.
Here are some tips provided from the magazine and from me:
- Listen to some music played by the instrument to get to know its sound. (YouTube is good for this.)
- Consider the range of the instrument. Does it play high notes or low notes? What is the lowest and highest note it can play?
- How loud or soft does the instrument play? This can set the dynamics for your piece.
- You can choose any instrument, not just those found in orchestras. Think about instruments used in folk music or in different parts of the world.
- Think about how the instrument makes its sound: Can it be plucked (staccato)? Is its sound made by blowing (consider some breathing points), a bow, hitting, etc.?
Here are the rules:
- You or your teacher must subscribe to Piano Explorer.
- Only solo piano music will be considered.
- Write your name, age, address, phone number, and teacher’s name on the back of the music.
- All submissions must be postmarked or faxed by the deadline: March 15, 2011.
- All compositions must be written by students. (Parents and teacher may help write down the notes.)
- do not quote other pieces of music in your compositions.
- Keep a copy of the music for yourself.
- Judging is based on creativity, musical ideas, and how well the music applies the contest theme.
Good luck students!
Read MoreComposer Opportunities
Here are a few opportunities for composers:
2011 McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies
The American Composers Forum is pleased to announce the 2011 McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies. The application deadline isMarch 26, 2011 (postmark).
Funded by the McKnight Foundation, this annual program underwrites a residency in Minnesota of at least eight weeks for two non-Minnesota based composers. While in residence, each visiting composer collaborates on a project with a Minnesota performing, presenting, and/or community organization.
The program encourages interaction with a variety of audiences, including rural populations and students. The selection process favors projects that promise to have considerable impact on the host community. Previous composers have led instrument-building workshops, created school music dramas, collaborated with the restaurant workers’ union, and constructed an installation in a remote cave.
Complete program and application guidelines are available here.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Craig Carnahan: ccarnahan@composersforum.org.
Here are more opportunities listed by the American Composer’s Forum.
2011 Atlantic Music Festival Fellowship Program
The 2011 Atlantic Music Festival announces its call for entries for the Fellowship Program applicants. Submission forms can be completed directly online at the official Atlantic Music Festival website.
http://www.atlanticmusicfestival.org/the-institute
AMF provides complete financial coverage for tuition and housing during the four weeks of residency. The Fellowship Program seeks gifted young artists for the following disciplines: woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, strings, opera, composition, conducting, and audio engineering between the ages of 18 and 34. Accepted applicants will be featured as resident artists at The 2010 Atlantic Music Festival.
The deadline to submit for the U.S. and International applicants for the 2011 Atlantic Music Festival is January 9, 2011. The early submission deadline is December 20, 2010.
The submission form and complete information regarding eligibility and application requirements for the 2011 AMF Fellowship Program are available on the Atlantic Music Festival website. Information is also available through the Atlantic Music Festival by email to community@atlanticmusicfestival.org, or by regular mail to Atlantic Music Festival, 228 Park Ave S #31975, New York, NY 10003.
For more information, please visit the Atlantic Music Festival online at http://www.atlanticmusicfestival.org
ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize
ASCAP has announced its competition for the Rudolf Nissim Prize for Composition.
PRIZE: $5,000
FOR THE BEST ORIGINAL CONCERT MUSIC SCORE REQUIRING CONDUCTOR
Dr. Rudolf Nissim, who served as head of ASCAP’s Foreign Department for four decades, also established the Concert Music Department. Prior to fleeing to the United States in 1940, Nissim had been Managing Director of the Austrian Performing Rights Society (AKM) for seven years. Dr. Nissim’s dedication to Concert Music and its creators was an inspiration to his colleagues, and his generous bequest to The ASCAP Foundation is a reminder of his legacy in perpetuity.
GUIDELINES
ELIGIBILITY: All living concert composer members of ASCAP. Prior winners of this Prize are ineligible.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Postmark no later than November 15, 2010.
MATERIAL TO BE SUBMITTED: The bound score (copy, not original manuscript), of ONE published or unpublished original concert work (no arrangements) requiring a conductor, scored for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, or large wind/brass ensemble (with or without soloists and/or chorus) not previously premiered or scheduled for professional premiere at any future date. A work with a performance history will be eligible only if earlier performances were, in the judgment of the Committee, clearly non-professional. For this exception to be granted, information regarding performances such as programs and anouncements, must be submitted with the score. Please note that performances by College, University, Conservatory, Community and Youth Orchestras are non-professional and eligible for this competition. Works commissioned by a professional ensemble or scheduled for a professional premiere are ineligible. Works which set a text protected by copyright must include permission of the author or the author’s representative.
Please download the application below. Unbound scores will NOT be accepted. So that submitted material may be returned, you are required to provide a large self-addressed postage-paid mailer. A separate letter-sized envelope containing the Application and Composer Biography must be included with the bound score. Please indicate duration on the score. You may include an electronic realization or a recording with your submission.
ANONYMITY: All works must be submitted anonymously, with a pseudonym appearing on the score. Except for your pseudonym, remove all references to your name, the publisher name, as well as all dedications and/or acknowledgements from the score. If you submit a CD, please clearly indicate your pseudonym, and the performing ensemble and conductor.
JUDGES: Three conductors will serve as jurors.
Download Application Materials in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
ADDRESS INQUIRIES AND/OR SUBMISSIONS TO:
Frances Richard
Vice President & Director of Concert Music}|
The ASCAP Foundation/Rudolf Nissim Prize
ASCAP Building – One Lincoln Plaza
New York, New York 10023
212.621.6329
Email inquiries: mspudic@ascap.com
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