Autumn Competition

[Kevin]

Well after a successful Spring Competition the Autumn one is starting!

This one will hopefully take a few of you out of your favourite place to be with composing and I hope that it tempts more of you to join in.

Details of the competition.

• Instrumentation is violin, viola and cello.
  
• Thee movements, 5/6 minutes in total length.
  
• Tonal piece written in a light style aimed at good amateur players.
  

If you have anything else you need to know please ask.

[David Stowell]

When is the deadline?

Define good amateur players in Grade terms (ABRSM 7 or 8? Or lower?)

[juan]

Passing on this one, but happy composing and good look to the contestants.

[Kevin]

Deadline November 30th 2012

I would say ABRSM grade 6 ish

[Kevin]

Aug 27, 2012 12:56:28 GMT juan said:

Passing on this one, but happy composing and good look to the contestants.

Shame Juan.

[Deleted]

Are two violins allowed, meaning one can attempt to write a string quartet if desired?

[Kevin]

Aug 27, 2012 13:19:56 GMT @annegoodwin said:

Are two violins allowed, meaning one can attempt to write a string quartet if desired?

Thanks for asking Anne but not this time. Maybe a later comp.

[adrianallan]

Can I just re-check the length requirement?

6 minutes total means only 2 minutes each movement, which seems a bit limiting.

[Kevin]

I can understand that. Let's say 9 minutes then as a max.

[Ed Sharpe]

never mind

[ttw]

I'm in.

[Kevin]

Aug 27, 2012 20:41:01 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

never mind

Not passing again Ed?

[Kevin]

Update:

2 judges on board and I am waiting to hear from a few more. All professional string players.
1 publisher on board as well.

I see that there are a few maybe's. Can you confirm ASAP?

[Deleted]

I am definitely up for this!

[Joseph]

short and tonal :-) LOL, a true challenge! Let's see where it goes. I may just be up for this one. Joseph

[adrianallan]

I will give it a go - a challenge to write something more for the "student market" than the professional. The need to limit oneself can be a good challenge.

Presumably it will be judged that way - ie. we are making an effort to be within the playing skills of upper-intermediate players?

I'm sure you will pass that requirement on to the judges, as with the trombone piece, we were defienitely aiming at the professional.

[Ed Sharpe]

I had written something else, but deleted it.

I might have a go, but I will interpret "tonal" as being limited to the 12 tones of the western equal tempered scale, which is a sub-set of my definition of tonal. As for "light" I will interpret it as "not too many notes all at the same time".

When is the due date? Or did I just missed it?

[Kevin]

Aug 28, 2012 22:39:47 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

I had written something else, but deleted it.

I might have a go, but I will interpret "tonal" as being limited to the 12 tones of the western equal tempered scale, which is a sub-set of my definition of tonal. As for "light" I will interpret it as "not too many notes all at the same time".

When is the due date? Or did I just missed it?

November 30th 2012 Ed.

[Deleted]

Mmmmm think I might have a go a this one after all. It's a bit outside my normal comfort zone, so I was initially doubtful. But a challenge can't do any harm.

However if we're making our own definitions, can I define "tonal" as being sufficiently diatonic not to look silly with a key signature? (That's a real challenge for me!)

And I've no idea what grade 6 is like, so can I define it as meaning I won't use any key signature with more than four flats?

PS don't take these questions too seriously. What I'm really saying is yes, count me in.

[Joseph]

Aug 30, 2012 13:07:33 GMT @tonyj said:

And I've no idea what grade 6 is like, so can I define it as meaning I won't use any key signature with more than four flats?
.

Tony, there is a PDF available online (don't have the address just now, Google ABRSM). It's a start to understanding the levels. Maybe one of the other folks has a better tool to help. Joseph

[Deleted]

yes, I had a browse through their syllabus, and got myself thoroughly confused. That's why I decided to use my own criteria (not very seriously though, the truth is that I've got so used to not using key signatures that I can't cope with them now - whether a "good amateur" string player can is not really the issue . . .

[adrianallan]

Grade 6 usually means "has been learning (quite conscientiously) for about 6 years", as from experience it usually takes about a year to progress up a grade - some take longer, some shorter.

Grade 8 usually means somebody who is ready to study at a music academy. They can play some of the easier pieces that might be found in a professional recital. Not quite ready for a concerto, but within sight...

And yes, Tony, a grade 6 player will probably have only played pieces with a key signature, and maybe a couple of key changes within that piece at the very most.

[Deleted]

Thanks, Adrian, that's useful information. Gives me a clue about what I should be aiming at.

[adrianallan]

Two quick questions:
1. At which note is it best to use the tenor clef on cello? - would you say the F above middle C?
2. Do you think some cello notes in tenor clef would be ok at this level? I'm not sure if by grade 6 cello players will have done tenor clef. Thumbing through some cello pieces at a music shop this morning, I noticed frequent use of the tenor clef.

[Kevin]

I cannot imagine that you will be ventuiring that high for this piece so you should not need to use tenor clef.

[Kevin]

So that is 6 entries now? Are there anymore because the poll at the top only says 2 definites! I ask because it helps in so many ways.

I have another judge on board. I am hoping to get a few more but will let you know.

Now if a few more fancy this challenge, raise your hand and say,"ME!"

[John Biggs]

I'm In - Thanks kevin.

[Kevin]

Great John. This will be interesting for you!

[David Stowell]

I am, tentatively, in, but I will be working along the following assumptions....
(a) If they are grade 6 standard they are likely to be working, in one fashion or other, towards a grade 7 standard
(b) I've looked back to the 1970s at the pieces I was playing for grade exams (albeit for piano, but that should be irrelevant), and at their rhythmic, harmonic, etc, challenges. That, along with the pieces I was attempting outside of exams, will be the benchmark that I will work to.
(c) I will look at what violinists/violists, cellists are required (in ABRSM) to sightread for grades 6 and 7

[Deleted]

I have started on my first movement, which will be up for a lot of change. I am creating a platform in which to sketch out the other two movements. Also reading through the posts above, I will be keeping my first quite short (to two odd minutes), then using this extra 3 minutes on the other two.

I have only ever wrote in movements once before, fondly enough the 2nd one being a String Trio, which was about 2 years ago, so I am looking forward to see what I come up with. And of course to see what the other entrants put forward!