Next Competition

[Kevin]

I know that we are still awaiting the results of the last competition but I was wondering if you would like to make suggestions on this board about future competitions you would like to see.

[Ed Sharpe]

I do have an idea for another song contest/challenge. Public domain lyrics. But we might want to have something else before another song.

[Deleted]

Apr 7, 2013 20:04:24 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

I do have an idea for another song contest/challenge. Public domain lyrics. But we might want to have something else before another song.

There's a fantastic resource for public domain poetry at Project Gutenburg

One of my personal favourites is The Rubai'yat of Omar Khayam - probably the worlds only atheist alcoholic muslim poet (you've got to admire him :-), although I have a bit of a head start if you pick that one.

[Deleted]

Another string setting would be nice, but again, might be a bit too soon since the last one.

[David Stowell]

We've had solo (trombone) and piano, string trio, song....
How about a wind quartet (Fl/Ob/Cl/Bsn) or wind quintet ( i.e. plus horn)
Again between 6 and 9 minutes - 3 contrasting movements.

[ceg]

A couple of ideas to try and level the playing fields between the tonalists and the Nasty Brigade:

1) A companion piece to Ernst Toch's Geopraphical Fugue (see for a performance and www.orfeonmalaga.org/musica/Toch-Geographical_Fugue.pdf for the score)

2) A piece for (only) untuned percussion

And another, slightly 'off the wall' idea:

3) A piece that has a significant Music Theatre element in it

And finally, as a variation on a couple of suggestions above for wind quartet or wind quintet, how about:

4) A piece for Trio d'Anches (Trio of Reeds) - i.e. for a trio of Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon

[wizzarts]

I wonder whether a stringorchestra would be too big for the competition.

The woodwind-Quintet sounds great.

Also we could to a piece for 5 players with a given melody (no chords) so everbody can choose the instruments.

Duration 6 to 9 minutes sounds great to me.

[Kevin]

The idea of this thread is to see what the membership would like to see. Again we have had a lot of member visits about this but (at the moment) just a few ideas. Lets see what other ones come over the next few weeks before a decision is made.

[Deleted]

I would enjoy participating in a competition that featured DUETS. I would suggest three categories for this: (1) two instruments, identical; (2) two instruments, different; (3) piano category, meaning ONE piano, four hands. Also, of course, it would be best to determine a grade level range and length of time range. Beyond that, I would leave it open, not specifying form, etc. I think duets would be a good choice as it should be approachable for anyone regardless of previous composing experience; also, duets are great as getting two people together to play is very easy and these are terrific for recitals. So, that's my input on this!

[Joseph]

Apr 8, 2013 12:48:31 GMT @annegoodwin said:

" . . . a competition that featured DUETS . . . (3) piano category, meaning ONE piano, four hands . . ."

strangely enough, often when I am writing for the piano I see it as a duet between the LH & RH.  I have tried to temper that position but still sometimes I perceive it in that way.  Though the end product doesn't always bear out the premise.

[Deleted]

Personally, I would like to participate in a contest for full orchestra, but as I know I don't have an orchestra at my disposal, I can understand why this probably isn't an option.

On a separate thought, we could try a competition in which we would attempt to imitate some composer's style (like our father Jean Sibelius perhaps?) I don't know what other restrictions there might be, but it's just a thought.

[allanh]

How's about a piece written specifically for Kevin's Andover Light Orchestra. It has a set amount of players, but not the standard orchestral players. For instance, you can have a bass guitarist or a tuba player, but not both. And if you have a pianist, you have no cellos. And I'm sure Kevin could fill us in on some more specifics. And of course, I'm sure Kevin would guarantee a performance and recording of the piece.

Just a thought!

And another idea through writing this is, as I have said above, piano and bass guitar or Tuba, or all four - Bass Guitar, Cello, Tuba and Piano.

[Deleted]

I know that string quartets are regarded as "stuffy" or conservative, but it challenges all aspects of compositional technique...how about a single string quartet movement then?

[Kevin]

Thanks for all the ideas. Before I make any decision are there any more suggestions? Would K&S be interested in anything specific Andy?

[wizzarts]

Well, K&S would be interested primarily in String Ochestra pieces (+Timpani if needed) with a duration of 3:30min to 7min, - Grade 5-6.

Also duets for 2 violins would be cool, especially for beginners up to grade 4. Those should be leveled clearly so that these pieces could be used for education and competition as well.

This would be retail material.

But any kind of full orchestra stuff is apreciated. These pieces should be for professional musicians with a duration of 15min or more. It is also possible to cover shorter pieces in a suite.

This would be rental material.

I hope this helps.

[John Biggs]

We've all got music we've already written and posted on Score Exchange.

Why not just make it an open competition, and composers submit one of there favourite works for appraisal.

[Kevin]

I can understand that John but surely that would not be a competition as such? Any potential publisher can look at your scores at any given time.

Personally I like the idea of creating something new.

What do the rest of you think?

[Deleted]

I just remembered an idea I thought of awhile ago. What about a competition where the goal is to write / compose a piece that would be for the enjoyment of relatively young children? I imagine it would be more challenging than we might think, but think how rewarding this would be to do! :-)

[Deleted]

I agree with you Kevin, I like these competitions as it gives me a clear goal to work towards to write something. I can understand where John is coming from though.

[Deleted]

Something for children (not necessarily for them to play, but to enjoy) sounds like a really good idea...

[djh255]

May 30, 2013 16:16:50 GMT John Biggs said:

We've all got music we've already written and posted on Score Exchange.

Why not just make it an open competition, and composers submit one of there favourite works for appraisal.

Actually I don't think John's idea should be dismissed out of hand.
I think it's a great idea. Such a competition could run as a one off, in parallel with any other competition that may be running at any one time. We all do indeed have a lot of material on SE which might benefit from a fresh airing/appraisal. Anything from Blues to Baroque, from full orchestra to solo instrument. Judging, in the true tradition of British justice, by our peers - all members to be asked to comment and give marks out of ten to any piece submitted by any other member out of his/her existing catalogue.
Could be interesting.

[Kevin]

I wasn't dismissing the idea David. It has it's place obviously. If anyone would like to organise such a competition I would be willing to help with anything but I can see I am going to be quite busy with this other one.

If there is a volunteer that would like to deal with it please come forward with some ideas by way of a PM.

[djh255]

'. . . dismissed out of hand'

Bad choice of phrase Kevin, sorry

[Kevin]

That is okay David. Would you like a stab at organising this one then?

[adrianallan]

David and John have quite a good idea for a competition, if it is run alongside this new one.

If there are to be no specifications for david/john's competition, would people be comfortable for something like a three minute duet being judged alongside a symphonic poem for orchestra?

If so, fine. And if the judging is to be done by forum members, i would suggest using an online voting website such as Survey Monkey, where votes can be cast anonymously and then collected after a weeek or so by the adminstrator of the survey. It is very easy to set up. Comments can be added too. You would only then need to think about a prize. I would suggest a prominent place for the soundcloud link on this page, or something else that gives the composer a little added exposure. Maybe we would all promise to share the link on our respective Facebook pages.

Just some ideas....

[Kevin]

It seems like you are a natural organiser Adrian !

[djh255]

Gets more interesting by the minute!
Unfortunately, having given it some thought, Kevin, I don't think I could commit to organising this myself, but I suspect there will be somebody more willing, and probably a lot more able, to have a go.
Further to Adrian's thoughts it may be worthwhile considering just a very few categories for the entries - say Classical, Popular, Jazz etc but perhaps we should try to keep it as simple and all encompassing as possible.
PS I don't have a Facebook page!!!!