Does good news come in groups? Here's the first. I just found out that my opera Oblivion is a regional winner for the 2011 SCI/ASCAP Student Composition Commission! It's one of 2 works selected from our Mid-Atlantic Region. All 18 Regional winners now move on to national adjudication and a chance for a cash prize, and a commission for a new work to be performed/recorded/published. Pretty sweet deal! For those that don't know, Oblivion is an one-act opera that premiered at the 2010 Capital Fringe Festival in DC. Back in 2008, my art song in memoriam Hibakusha received the same SCI/ASCAP regional honor. Keep fingers crossed that Oblivion goes further. Either way, what a nice way to cap off my career as a student composer! Speaking of both composing and careers, I will have more news this week. Check back! |
Showing posts with label composition competitions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label composition competitions. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
2011 SCI/ASCAP Student Composition Commission
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Deadline: ASCAP Morton Gould Awards
Attention Young Composers!
Another deadline is fast-approaching - The ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. (PDF application)
Age limit: under 30 (as of 1/1/2011)
Due: March 1 (postmark)
Send: application form, 1 score, bio/education history, complete works list, recording (optional), & text-setting permissions (if applicable)
---Last year's stats (2010)---
Total Applicants: 730
Winners: 37 (5.07%)
Honorable Mentions: 15 (2.05%)
Non-Winers: 678 (92.88%)
Not bad as national competitions go. So cast your line. You might get a nibble.
Another deadline is fast-approaching - The ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. (PDF application)
Age limit: under 30 (as of 1/1/2011)
Due: March 1 (postmark)
Send: application form, 1 score, bio/education history, complete works list, recording (optional), & text-setting permissions (if applicable)
---Last year's stats (2010)---
Total Applicants: 730
Winners: 37 (5.07%)
Honorable Mentions: 15 (2.05%)
Non-Winers: 678 (92.88%)
Not bad as national competitions go. So cast your line. You might get a nibble.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Composition Competition Tip #2: Be Prepared
Applying to competitions takes time, even apart from the creation and notation of the music itself. If you apply to more than three or four per year, you know how tedious and occasionally fruitless it can seem. It can be daunting, but once you have a routine, it becomes simple. Here are a few pointers to speed up the process:
1. Who Wants This? Keep a list of calls for scores that you want to enter, organized by their submission dates. Take note of whether the deadline is a postmark or received-by date. This list should be updated every month or so, or as needed. In general, I strongly recommend avoiding calls with application fees, unless you feel you have a strong work that is especially fitting for that call's requirements. You can find updated lists of competitions through various professional organizations (most of which require membership for viewing), such as SCI, ACF, AMC, NACUSA, and CMS, (conferences only). Finally, focus on competitions that are a good fit for the music you write, and don't be afraid to dream big.
2. Combs and Spirals and Wires (Oh My!) Make your scores look professional, both in their content and in their presentation. A really fantastic, concise guide by composer Alex Beard can be found here. To start, print on thicker 32-pound paper (not cardstock) using a laser printer. Not only are their cartridges longer-lasting and cheaper in the long run, they look and feel better. Alex prefers spiral binding, while I'm still using combs. Either way, making sure your score is held together will allow the adjudicators to spend more time looking at your score and less time collating it.
3. Hearing Is Believing CDs can go in those Priority Mail envelopes, too. (See #5 below on mailing.) Only send high-quality recordings of high-quality performances, or, if specifically mentioned in the posting, high-quality MIDI renderings (in MP3 format). Better for them to hear nothing than a poor product. Use slim cases to avoid cracks, and, for a cleaner look, consider some cheap and simple CD labeling software (such as the Memorex Label Maker Start Kit). Either way, also include a CD insert or separate sheet of paper with your name (unless it's anonymous!), the name of the competition, and titles/durations of each track. That way, when the CD is being played, they know what they're listening to.
4. My Mother's Maiden Name? In addition to the music-related stuff aforementioned, organizations also frequently ask for a bio (keep it under 100 words), program notes, a CV, and occasionally more specific info on the pieces being submitted. Update your bio and CV every month or two, and consider creating basic program notes a part of the compositional process. That way, they're always ready to go.
5. Thanks, US Postal Service www.usps.com allows you to purchase and print mailing labels online. To prepare, stop by your local post office and pick up a handful of Priority Mail envelopes. Make sure they say Flat Rate on them, so you can mail them without weighing. If you're sending more than three scores, pick up a Medium Flat Rate Box, though 11" x 17" scores likely won't fit the Priority Mail mailers. Then when the day comes to submit, simply visit usps.com, print and affix your label, and drop the item off in the nearest mailbox. Two- to three-day shipping meets convenience.
6. Behold... The Internets! Even better, some competitions allow or even require online submissions. Then you only need MP3 recordings and PDF scores. If you're using a Mac, choose "Save As PDF" when printing from your notation program. On a PC, use a free program such as CutePDF Writer to do the same thing.
In summary, be prepared. Aim to have an application package completed at least one week prior to the deadline so you'll have plenty of time to get it in. That's all for now. Write in with any questions, and best of luck in your hunt! As always, leave comments below, or contact me through my Profile Page or my website.
1. Who Wants This? Keep a list of calls for scores that you want to enter, organized by their submission dates. Take note of whether the deadline is a postmark or received-by date. This list should be updated every month or so, or as needed. In general, I strongly recommend avoiding calls with application fees, unless you feel you have a strong work that is especially fitting for that call's requirements. You can find updated lists of competitions through various professional organizations (most of which require membership for viewing), such as SCI, ACF, AMC, NACUSA, and CMS, (conferences only). Finally, focus on competitions that are a good fit for the music you write, and don't be afraid to dream big.
2. Combs and Spirals and Wires (Oh My!) Make your scores look professional, both in their content and in their presentation. A really fantastic, concise guide by composer Alex Beard can be found here. To start, print on thicker 32-pound paper (not cardstock) using a laser printer. Not only are their cartridges longer-lasting and cheaper in the long run, they look and feel better. Alex prefers spiral binding, while I'm still using combs. Either way, making sure your score is held together will allow the adjudicators to spend more time looking at your score and less time collating it.
3. Hearing Is Believing CDs can go in those Priority Mail envelopes, too. (See #5 below on mailing.) Only send high-quality recordings of high-quality performances, or, if specifically mentioned in the posting, high-quality MIDI renderings (in MP3 format). Better for them to hear nothing than a poor product. Use slim cases to avoid cracks, and, for a cleaner look, consider some cheap and simple CD labeling software (such as the Memorex Label Maker Start Kit). Either way, also include a CD insert or separate sheet of paper with your name (unless it's anonymous!), the name of the competition, and titles/durations of each track. That way, when the CD is being played, they know what they're listening to.
4. My Mother's Maiden Name? In addition to the music-related stuff aforementioned, organizations also frequently ask for a bio (keep it under 100 words), program notes, a CV, and occasionally more specific info on the pieces being submitted. Update your bio and CV every month or two, and consider creating basic program notes a part of the compositional process. That way, they're always ready to go.
5. Thanks, US Postal Service www.usps.com allows you to purchase and print mailing labels online. To prepare, stop by your local post office and pick up a handful of Priority Mail envelopes. Make sure they say Flat Rate on them, so you can mail them without weighing. If you're sending more than three scores, pick up a Medium Flat Rate Box, though 11" x 17" scores likely won't fit the Priority Mail mailers. Then when the day comes to submit, simply visit usps.com, print and affix your label, and drop the item off in the nearest mailbox. Two- to three-day shipping meets convenience.
6. Behold... The Internets! Even better, some competitions allow or even require online submissions. Then you only need MP3 recordings and PDF scores. If you're using a Mac, choose "Save As PDF" when printing from your notation program. On a PC, use a free program such as CutePDF Writer to do the same thing.
In summary, be prepared. Aim to have an application package completed at least one week prior to the deadline so you'll have plenty of time to get it in. That's all for now. Write in with any questions, and best of luck in your hunt! As always, leave comments below, or contact me through my Profile Page or my website.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Composition Competition Tip #1: Give Them What They Want
Find out what a contest/conference is really looking for, and tailor your submission to that.
I recently posted (below) about the SCI 2010 Student National Conference's Call for Participation. Their site mentions a conference theme of "Giving Voice: Social Justice and the Arts." It says: "Compositions and paper proposals that fit with theme are encouraged, though all submissions will be considered."
Don't ignore this! When conference/contest organizers express a preference for something, try to acknowledge that by what you choose to submit. For calls that allow multiple submissions, include at least one that fits the theme.
Giving those in charge of programing a choice that truly fits the concept of the event can give you a leg up on someone who submits their same great piano trio every time.
As always, leave comments below, or contact me through my Profile Page or my website.
I recently posted (below) about the SCI 2010 Student National Conference's Call for Participation. Their site mentions a conference theme of "Giving Voice: Social Justice and the Arts." It says: "Compositions and paper proposals that fit with theme are encouraged, though all submissions will be considered."
Don't ignore this! When conference/contest organizers express a preference for something, try to acknowledge that by what you choose to submit. For calls that allow multiple submissions, include at least one that fits the theme.
Giving those in charge of programing a choice that truly fits the concept of the event can give you a leg up on someone who submits their same great piano trio every time.
As always, leave comments below, or contact me through my Profile Page or my website.
Deadline Reminder: Sat., August 1 - SCI 2010 Student National Conference
Hi composers. This is a quick reminder that tomorrow, Saturday August 1, is the postmark deadline for submission to the SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.) 2010 Student National Conference, to be held March 5-6, 2010, at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Time to get those scores, CDs, and bios in the mail!
Bring your own performers if possible. Otherwise, they have a strong selection of available performing resources, including:
* most standard orchestral instruments
* sizable brass section
* saxes
* guitar
* voice (soprano, mezzo and baritone).
(No full orchestra, though.)
Also of note: They're holding a 60x60 event. If you have a 60-second electronic work, particularly one that deals with social justice or "noise" (what music doesn't?), consider this as well. A performance is a performance, right?
See their Call for Participation page for detailed instructions and the mailing address. Best of luck!
Bring your own performers if possible. Otherwise, they have a strong selection of available performing resources, including:
* most standard orchestral instruments
* sizable brass section
* saxes
* guitar
* voice (soprano, mezzo and baritone).
(No full orchestra, though.)
Also of note: They're holding a 60x60 event. If you have a 60-second electronic work, particularly one that deals with social justice or "noise" (what music doesn't?), consider this as well. A performance is a performance, right?
See their Call for Participation page for detailed instructions and the mailing address. Best of luck!
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