Composition Contest for Mixed Chorus
Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize
Application Deadline: June 30, 2010 (receipt)
The School of Music of the University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the 2010 Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize, a National Competition for New Works for Mixed Chorus.
The generosity, vision and abiding interest in music as a living art on the part of Craig and Janet Swan have come together in the establishment of an annual competition for music for large ensembles, the Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize. This competition, underwritten by the Swans, is administered by the School of Music at the University of Minnesota, where Dr. Swan served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
The competition is held in a continuing three-year cycle of music for Chorus, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra in rotation.
2009 Orchestra: prize of $2,500
2010 Chorus: prize of $1,500
2011 Wind Ensemble: prize of $2,000
The single prize-winning work will receive a monetary award, and its world premiere by the appropriate large ensemble of the School of Music University Singers. The prize- winning work will be announced in September 2010 and will be awarded publicly at the time of the premiere performance in Spring 2011. In addition, the School of Music will invite the composer of the winning work to the Twin Cities campus for rehearsals, composer master class, and to be present at the premiere performance.
Contest Guidelines and Application Form are available at:
http://www.music.umn.edu/enscomp/competitions.php
Guidelines The Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize for 2010 is for music for Mixed Chorus:
- Ensemble – Chorus SATB, either a cappella or with piano accompaniment. Recommended vocal ranges should not exceed a low E for basses through high B for sopranos.
- Performance time – Between 6 – 8 minutes in length.
- Text – May be sacred or secular. Any language is acceptable. If the text for the submitted piece is not English, a literal English translation must accompany the entry; and if the language is not Latin, Hebrew or one of the current European languages, a pronunciation guide/transliteration is also required. For works using text under copyright, submission must include a copy of the letter granting the composer permission to use the copyrighted text, and specifying the terms of use.Other specifications
- Inclusion of occasional choral soli is acceptable, as is divisi up to SSAATTBB. A movement or movements from a larger work constitutes an eligible submission.
- Electronic manipulation of live sounds or a part for tape is permissible.
- Only one composition per composer may be submitted.
- For the prize-winning composition: (1) Official wording concerning this prize is to be incorporated on all performance materials and/or recordings published and/or circulated following the date of the prize announcement. (2) The composer will provide three copies of the score to the University of Minnesota School of Music at no charge, for archival and performance purposes. One of these (unbound) will be used as a copymaster for the conductor and the choral ensemble.
- The composer of the winning piece retains copyright. Copies of the scores used for the premiere performance will remain the property of the University of Minnesota Choral Library.
Deadlines
- Materials must arrive at the University of Minnesota School of Music by Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Entries received after June 30, 2010 will be deemed ineligible.
- The prize-winning composition will be announced in September of 2010.
- The Swan Prize will be awarded on the occasion of the world premiere performance, during the 2010–2011 school year.
Eligibility
- This is a national competition open to composers currently residing in the United States but is not restricted to American citizens.
- Eligible applicants shall be composers in the earlier stages of their careers who have not yet established national recognition, as evidenced in the form of a commercial recording or commercial publication of their music. Composers may be deemed to be eligible even if they have been the recipient of commissions and other prizes/awards, so long as they have not yet received commercial recording or publication of their music.
- Eligibility will be established via required supporting materials consisting of two elements: (1) a one-page résumé detailing the applicant’s career accomplishments in brief along with a list of representative works; and (2) if the applicant has studied music at an institution of higher education, a transcript from the most recent term of study must also be submitted.
Entries
- Eligible entries: Mixed Chorus works that are unperformed at the time of entry and written by composers who meet all eligibility requirements.
- All entries should be unattributed (anonymous). The composer’s name may not appear on any materials submitted, except for the application form (see below), and the letter of permission to use a copyrighted text, if needed. Mark all scores, translations, and (optional) recordings with a single identifying mark or pseudonym.
- Incomplete or illegible entries will not be reviewed.
- Entries without SASE become the property of the University of Minnesota.
- Entries shall consist of the following elements:
Required Materials
- Three copies of the score of the composition for mixed chorus. These may be either in computerized notation or in a clear manuscript hand, but must be clear, legible, proofread and complete. Score title page should contain only the following information: composition title; specific performing forces; duration; date of composition; and pseudonym.
- A cappella scores must include a piano reduction of the choral parts.
- Sealed envelope containing the completed application form, and a letter of permission to use a copyrighted text, if needed. On the outside of the envelope write the title of the composition, and the identifying mark or pseudonym.
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of submitted materials.
- All entries must have a written score, and that score must be submitted in printed or photocopied version. No un-notated submissions, nor submissions by fax or via Internet-only communication.
Optional Materials
- A MIDI realization, recording of non-concert reading session, or a piano play- through of the composition.
Application materials
- Download a pdf of the application.
- Entries should be sent to arrive before June 30, 2010.
Send to:
Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize
Attn: Lisa Marshall
University of Minnesota School of Music
200 Ferguson Hall
2106 Fourth Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
For questions about the Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize, contact: Lisa Marshall Communications Manager e-mail: marsh396@umn.edu
Read MoreFilm Scoring Opportunity
The American Composer’s Forum has announced an opportunity to attend a 2 day intensive workshop on film scoring.
HOLLYWOOD CALLING: An Insider’s Guide to Film Scoring
April 17-18, 2010
McNally Smith College of Music
Saint Paul, MN
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2010
ACF is partnering with McNally Smith College of Music to offer an intensive two-day workshop on the process of film scoring. The sessions will be led by noted Hollywood composers Sean McMahon and Christopher Young. Space is still available and participants have the option of auditing the first day’s sessions or registering to attend both days.
Complete information about the workshop–including faculty bios and registration form–click here.
Atlantic Music Festival Call for Entries
AMF Institute is pleased to announce that the submission deadline for International Fellowship Program has been extended to February 1, 2010. The fellowship provides complete financial coverage for tuition and housing for orchestral instrumentalists, guitarists, pianists, opera singers, one composer, one conductor, and one recording engineer between the ages of 18 and 34.
2010 ATLANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES ONLINE SUBMISSION DEADLINE
New York, NY, 8 September 2009 — Today, the 2010 Atlantic Music Festival announces its call for entries for 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 is is open to orchestral instrumentalists, guitarists, pianists, opera singers, one composer, one conductor, and one recording engineer between the ages of 18 and 34. Accepted applicants will be featured as resident artists at The 2010 Atlantic Music Festival.
The new deadline to submit for the U.S. and International applicants for the 2010 Atlantic Music Festival is February 4, 2010.
The submission form and complete information regarding eligibility and entry rules for the 2010 Atlantic Music Festival are available on the Atlantic Music Festival website. Information is also available through the Atlantic Festival by email to community@atlanticmusicfestival.org, or by regular mail to Little Feather Works, 228 Park Ave S #31975, New York, NY 10003.
For more information, please visit us online at http://www.atlanticmusicfestival.org
Read More2010 Composer Institute
The Minnesota Orchestra and the American Composers Forum, in cooperation with the American Music Center, present
The Tenth Annual
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
COMPOSER INSTITUTE and Future Classics! Concert
ORCHESTRA HALL, MINNEAPOLIS
October 25 – 31, 2010
Application deadline: March 1, 2010 (postmark)
The Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute offers a unique week-long intensive immersion into the world of a major American symphony orchestra. 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, October 30, 2010, 8 pm.
SUBMIT
One bound and legible score of one orchestral work written within the last five years.Label the cover with your name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number.
Recording if available (CD or cassette).
Bio/resume, including current address, telephone, e-mail, fax.
One letter of recommendation from a composition teacher or music professional (via mail or e-mail to addresses given below).
A program note and information detailing the complete performance or reading history (if any) of the submitted work, including all dates and names of performing ensembles.
A complete performance history (if any) of any other orchestral works you have written, with names of works and performing ensembles and dates performed.
A check for return postage (made out to ACF) if you want your materials returned.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be U.S. resident composers at early stages of their professional careers.
Composers who have participated in previous Institutes may not reapply.
Previous applicants: Composers awarded Alternate or Runner-Up status in past years may resubmit works previously entered, or they may choose to reapply with a different work. Composers awarded Honorable Mention may not submit previously entered works, but may choose to reapply with a different work.
Only one work per composer will be considered.
Submitted works may not have received a performance or a reading by a major orchestra (over $3.6M annual budget). Preference will be given to unperformed works.
Works may be up to 15 minutes in length (sections of longer works will be considered).
Not eligible are concertos, choral works and works for strings, winds or brass only. Works with electronic elements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Instrumentation must not exceed:
4 fl (1 doubling picc), 4 ob (1 doubling Eng hn), 4 cl (1 doubling bass cl), 4 bsn (1 doubling contra bsn), 4 hrn, 4 trpt, 3 trbn, 1 tba, 1 timp, 3 perc, harp, pf/cel (no organ), strings.
SELECTION
Composer participants and alternates will be selected by a panel of prominent composers and announced in early summer 2010. Performance materials for chosen works will be due no later than July 10, 2010.
SEND SCORE AND MATERIALS POSTMARKED BY March 1, 2010:
American Composers Forum
332 Minnesota Street #E145
St. Paul, MN 55101
Further information: Craig Carnahan
(651) 251-2833 or ccarnahan@composersforum.org
Additional info on PE Composition Contest
This year, I noticed that the Piano Explorer did not specify the age brackets for their composition contest. So, I emailed the editor and asked her a few specific questions about this and other things. Here is her response:
Question #1:
Are there age divisions in the contest this year?
Answer:
In general, there are age divisions, typically 10 and under and 11 and up. We cannot guarantee this will be the dividing line, but it has been for the past ten years.
Question #2
What are the prizes for the winners?
Answer:
There are monetary prizes for first, second, and third place – all typically under $100.
Please read PE Composition Contest for more details.
Read MorePE Composition Contest
The January issue of the Piano Explorer has arrived and the details of their annual composition contest are included. If you are a student in my studio, you can pick up your copy at your first lesson in January, but I wanted to give you the details so that you can work on this over your break (since you will only have 1 month to complete your piece due to our schedule).
This years theme is animals. You are instructed to pick and animal (or animals) and describe it with your music. “You can write about a pet, an animal you saw at a zoo or in a book, or any creature you are interested in.”
Here are some questions to answer to help you get started:
- What animal do you want to write about?
- What kind of things does this animal do? (Make a list.)
- How does your animal act?
- What kind of personality does this animal do? (Think about some of those adjectives we used in the Jingle Bells Variations…energetic, lazy, angry, animated, etc.)
Remember that good answers to these questions in the beginning will help you shape the composition. After you have answered these questions, ask yourself how the answers might be depicted on the piano. For example, if your animal is scared, how would you depict that in music? (Some possible answers might be use minor, high sounds, fast and frantic music, half steps which sound creepy, etc.) Then, try to come up with a good motive and melody for your A section. We can fine tune your A section at the first January lesson.
Here are the rules of the contest:
- You must subscribe to the Piano Explorer (all my students are).
- Only solo piano music will be considered.
- All submissions must be postmarked or faxed by March 5, but you’ll need to have yours finished by the end of January because of our unique schedule this year.
- All of your composition must be written by you, but I can help you write it down.
- Do not copy other pieces of music in your compositions. Your piece will not be considered if you use other people’s music as that is a violation of copyright laws.
- No submissions will be returned, so we will keep a copy for you.
Good luck!
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