SOS Vocal Composition Challenge

[Deleted]

This thread is being opened up from another thread that expressed the wish to have lyrics for the purposes of learning and improving song-writing.

From that thread, I am opening (hopefully with your approval Kevin)a vocal composition challenge for members of this forum. The purposes of the challenge are educational. The challenge will be mainly friendly, but I am putting in a couple of things to add incentive. That means it is also a competition but it is meant to be a friendly competition where the 'stakes' are 'low'.

So, for this challenge, you are allowed to use any style or genre that you fancy; also, any instrumentation is allowed but prominence shall be given to proper word setting. Anything from a 'jingle' to a 'mutli-choir choral setting' is permitted.

You are permitted, at the end of the challenge, to post the score on Score Exchange. However, if you charge for the score, 50% of the profits must come to me as the lyricist. A reminder here, too, that you must acknowledge me as the lyricist in the score you produce.

You may not produce music from this challenge without obtaining my written permission.

So, to provide the remaining details:

Opening Date: January 21, 2013

Closing Date: March 31, 2013

Incentives include:

a) a book copy of my chorale "Words of Reverence" to all participants in this challenge;

b) an Angela Hewitt recording to the top three entries (to be judged by the Sons of Sibelius moderators and perhaps myself, again this is at Kevin's discretion).

The lyrics are as follows:

BUGABOOS

Verse One:

You think he hates your hair
You think she always stares
You think it's odd and weird
How life is unmirrored!

Hey silly
Don't be afraid
It's not what it seems
"Bugaboos!"

Chorus:

Bugaboos, bugaboos,
Bugaboos, bugaboos.

Verse Two:

You want to throw up and get out of sight
You and your dear lover just had a fight
No harmony today, only discord all the way
"Get out of my life, I'm bored and betrayed!"

Hey silly
Don't be afraid
It's not true
He still loves you!

It's:

Chorus:

Bugaboos, bugaboos
Bugaboos, bugaboos.

Verse Three:

Smile and reach within
Find that silly grin
That stranger ain't no enemy
Hey look ... the joke's on you!

Hey silly,
Don't be afraid
Ha, ha, ha, ha,
That's a friend!

Chorus:

Bugaboos, bugaboos,
Bugaboos,bugaboos.

Verse Four:

You feel you never win
That even your soul is full of sin
You're sure you're going to hell
In fact, why not get it over with now?

No, no, no, no!

Hey silly,
Don't be afraid,
You're not crazy,
It's those

Chorus:

Bugaboos, bugaboos
Bugaboos, bugaboos

Verse Five:

Reach deep within, search and closely look
To find your sweet inner child
She's waiting there 'cause she wants to play
Come and take her hand
Go for a walk in the sand
Show her the rippling waves
And how to explore underwater caves
She needs to know you love her
Let her see your heart
Place her fingers on it and tap the beat
Get rid of those bugaboos
Let your spirit sail free
Empty out the demons
And live again with God!

Finale

No more bugaboos, good-bye bugaboos
Diminish bugaboos, disappear hateful bugaboos!

[Kevin]

You seem to have it all organised nicely Anne. I will PM everyone about this in due course. The one change I would consider is extending it for another month.

[Deleted]

Hello Anne,

I had an idea to set this to a string quartet, soprano and tenor. Would this be okay? And would it be all right for me to participate in this fun challenge?

Thanks,


Jamie

[Deleted]

I have set the new closing date for March 31, 2013. I hope this allows everyone sufficient time to complete their work satisfactorily.

[Deleted]

Hi Jamie,

Thanks for joining this vocal challenge. I think your ideas sound excellent. Have fun with this!

Anne

[ceg]

Various urban dictionary definitions of Bugaboos:

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bugaboo

[djh255]

Hi Anne
Just been reading the urban dictionary definitions of Bugaboos.
Maybe it would help us (it would certainly help me!) if you could let us know your interpretation of the word.
Or is this part of the challenge?
Thanks,
Dave

[Deleted]

Okay Dave, since you asked, I will provide a definition of my own (along with an image) to provide some assistance. Of the definitions given in the Urban Dictionary list, the last one (No. 7) comes closest but even that doesn't quite cut it for me in the context of the prose.

My personal definition is:

Something unexpected that throws me off-course, upsets my inner peace or 'equilibirum' and basically causes chaos to my 'perfect little world'.

However, that is my definition and I do not want others to be confined by it so firstly, people are free to discuss what "bugaboo" may mean but secondly, and yes, it is definitely something that each participant in this challenge should try to interpret for him or herself and it is a part of the challenge itself.

The image I am attaching is the first thing I thought of after ceg had posted the Urban Dictionary list.

[/img]

Attachments:

[John Biggs]

Hello,
Anne - would setting these words in a pop song style be acceptable - that is bass drums guitars keyboards etc with a sung vocal on the top & (backing vocals) maybe?

So basically the word setting would be presented as a vocal melody with the words underneath plus the Band accompaniament.

[Deleted]

Hi John, Yes, of course, setting the words in a pop song style would be acceptable. I don't know if it wise of me to say too much but I do want everyone to know that a certain amount of 'artistic freedom' is acceptable. In other words, each composer should take the words and their meaning and do what is comfortable for the style or genre he or she is working with ... that does not mean totally changing everything. It just means that a small tweak here or there, as long as it makes the composition come together in a good way, is allowed. If in doubt, perhaps send a PM to get my approval, especially if you want to either add in or take away a particular word. Repeating a word or phrase that is already there is within the rules, again as long as it actually enhances or brings the composition together properly.

I shall look forward to whatever you end out doing John. Again, enjoy the process.

[John Biggs]

Hi Anne -
thanks for your assistance. I'd like to have a crack at this also.

[Kevin]

So anything goes then?!

[Deleted]

Ah ... no, that certainly is not the message I intended to send out Kevin. It seems to me that there are rules that apply in every genre and therefore, within reason, those rules should hold pretty firm. In any case, at all points along the way in this competition Kevin, I would immensely value your guiding hand. I have not actually run a musical competition before now. (I have once been in charge of a competition for writers though.)

[Kevin]

I just meant in which instrumentation you would wish to use Anne.

[adrianallan]

Ok, here is my effort.

I have to say at the outset that I had to leave out the last section, unfortunately.

That last verse did not follow the same number of syllables or rhyming scheme as the others, so it would have needed to be a new section.

However, my arrangement has so many sections already, another one would have compromised the musical structure - in my opinion. If other people mange to incorporate it all successfully, then they are more skilled than me. I actually ended up making a coda with a very small section of the final verse. I didn't want so many different sections that it resembled Bohemian Rhapsody.

My musical judgement had to win over, and I stand and fall by that.

Attachments:

[Deleted]

Thanks for your entry Adrian.

It is probably alright that you chose to leave out the last section. There are certainly a number of challenges that come up for anyone who wishes to incorporate it.

The main thing, for all competitors, is that the composition works, again with prominence given to proper and appropriate word setting.

[adrianallan]

Amended version here to replace the first version

Attachments:

[Joseph]

Anne, I wasn't sure I'd have the bandwidth to enter this friendly competition but I am having difficulty with the last section of my current project. Since a diversion often helps I took another look at your text. If there is still time I believe i will have a go at it. i do have a question though. Would it be inappropriate for me to hijack some of the text to re-use when rounding out a phrase? No words of my own, only yours but transposed in time and repeated. Joseph

[Deleted]

I think that would be fine Joseph. Thanks for joining in on this.

[Joseph]

Feb 8, 2013 0:48:47 GMT @annegoodwin said:

Thanks for your entry Adrian.

It is probably alright that you chose to leave out the last section. There are certainly a number of challenges that come up for anyone who wishes to incorporate it.

The main thing, for all competitors, is that the composition works, again with prominence given to proper and appropriate word setting.

I, too, am afraid I cannot reconcile verse 5 with the balance of the text. IMO, it picks up on verse 3 and runs with that idea. The words obviously are not mine but structurally speaking I find verse three coming after verse four might lead better into verse five. But, I truly think verse 5 has an altogether different rhythmical aspect. I would probably set 2 individual songs if I were to encompass all of the text. But at over 5 minutes already and with just a sketch, no introductions, interludes, or endings, I will probably skip the last verse. Anne, if that violates your profile for this contest I will happily just offer you my completed score simply for your amusement.

[Kevin]

Jan 21, 2013 17:02:06 GMT @annegoodwin said:

You are permitted, at the end of the challenge, to post the score on Score Exchange. However, if you charge for the score, 50% of the profits must come to me as the lyricist. A reminder here, too, that you must acknowledge me as the lyricist in the score you produce.

You may not produce music from this challenge without obtaining my written permission.

Just noticed this in the T&C for this competition.

[Deleted]

Well, I'm beginning to think that this challenge is going to be full of 'bugaboos'!

So, the first thing I will attempt to do this morning is to reply to a couple of the comments and concerns that have come up with respect to the lyrics.

Yes, verse 5 is 'different' and therefore an extra challenge. However, the complaints lodged so far are not the complaints I was expecting exactly. In terms of the different number of syllables and the extra lines, those are easy to deal with really. And I'm sure everyone here already knows the answer to it and that is to simply use different rhythmic values with the notes and/or to change the time signatures to accommodate the difficulties. Also, in case it is not obvious to everyone, the fifth 'verse' signals a complete change in MOOD. You do not have to be 'literal' and feel that you must make verse 5 an actual 'verse'. As I already said, I expect you to make use of a certain amount of 'artistic freedom'. So, to conclude, what you want to do is take the lyrics that I have written and do something special to them to 'make them something of your own'.

Oh, and what was the complaint I was expecting? Well, if it was me and if I was not female, it would be the pronouns in that final verse that would drive me crazy. So, if those pronouns are in fact 'hanging you up', then you have two options (if you are male): 1) you would really, really have to draw on your 'feminine side', or, 2) change the pronouns to masculine ones if you really must.

Okay, this is my first post for this morning here but I have a couple more to do.

[Deleted]

Now, for my second post, and this is being put here because the objective of this challenge is supposed to be for educational purposes. With that in mind, I want to make a few suggestions, mainly for anyone who may perhaps be 'new' to composing.

So, at least for formal through-composed music, the process is not unlike the process that good students would use in writing a long term paper for a university class. Basically you write a first draft, then a second one and finally, the final one. Here is what I think you should be thinking of doing, and actually doing, at each of those stages.

First Draft: This is where you have the basics of the piece put down as a 'rough score'. You have notes matching words lined up with instrumental intentions. Once you have the first draft, you should put it away for at least a couple of days up to a week to let it 'settle'. When you come back to it, check it over for voicings, chords, rhythmns, overall structure, key changes, time signature changes, dynamics/expression.

Second Draft: This is where you probably feel that you could actually let the piece be shown. However, not true. Here, you have a beautifully set up score that is easily readable, playable and potentially ready for someone to perform. However, now you ask yourself the following: How does it feel? What is right with it? What is wrong with it? What can you now to do enhance it? (Does it need an intro/prelude or perhaps something special mid-way? Is the ending hugely satisfactory?) So, consider all of that and more, then do the work and fix mistakes and incorporate new ideas. Again, once done, let the piece settle, but this time for much longer. I would suggest two weeks up to a month or more.

Final Score: At this point, you have a beautiful score. What more needs to be considered? Lots. Here is where you go over the score with a fine-tooth comb. Whereas before you were looking at the larger elements of the piece, now you look at the piece for all the tiny, minute details -- every single note, rest, word, expression marking and layout/spacing and engraving aspect must be closely examined. You "touch up" the piece. You perhaps get a colleague to also take a look at it. Once done, then the piece should be ready to present. It should also be the final week -- if not the final day -- of the challenge/competition.

I suggest that if you follow all of the steps listed above (and I do welcome other such suggestions from other members of this forum), then you should be able to post the final version of your piece with complete confidence.

Good luck on all of this!

[Deleted]

Okay, continuing on ... Adrian, with respect to using better sound samples and so on ... all I'm asking is that you ask me. This competition is focussed not on the instrumentation that is used but on the score that is produced. Any audio that is put out there, then I simply want to be informed and consulted about it. Also, I would have preferred that an audio not have been put out until after the deadline of this challenge. However, it has now been done and so, using only sounds that come with Sibelius notational software, an audio may be posted here alongside the score. This is to make it fair 'playing grounds' for everyone. Once the challenge is over, then of course you may do what you wish; the caveat being that I expect 'fair play' if you end out making any kind of a profit with this. That is why I have put that you must obtain my written consent for producing professional music/audios. I hope I have clarified this point; if not, please let me know what more needs to be clarified. Although I have been on the fringes of the 'music industry' for awhile now, I am by no means an 'expert' on the music production side of things.

[Deleted]

Okay ... this is my last post for the moment. With respect to the judging process and the judges, I will get back to everyone with information about all of that as soon as possible.

Finally, just to let everyone know, I am myself setting the words of Bugaboos to music. I have a first draft of this for solo voice with piano accompaniment. I am not a competitor or, for that matter, even a participant in the challenge. I began setting the words to music for two reasons: 1) to pull me out of my grief over recently losing a close family member, and 2) to see what challenges were there for everyone else who is trying to do this.

So, I will leave this post with asking your opinion. Do you want to see what I have done with these words and if so, do you want me to post my drafts as they get done (thereby allowing you to view the process) or should I wait until the end of the challenge OR, would you prefer that I not post my version at all in connection with this challenge?

That's all for now. Apologies for taking up so much space.

[adrianallan]

Ok I will remove the post with the better audio, so we are all using the same sibelius sounds.

Since it never mattered in the other compeitions, I didn't think it would matter this time, so my apologies.

I say why not share with us your composition too, and now would be fine.

[Deleted]

Alright, attached is the first draft of my score (a pdf) to 'Bugaboos' along with a Soundcloud track that I will hopefully manage to post successfully. I will emphasize again that I am not a competitor in this challenge nor will I be one of the judges (obviously). ;D

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/#elizabeth-anne-goodwin/bugaboos-s6-1stdraft[/soundcloud]

Attachments:

[Deleted]

So, I will provide information about judging and the process for the judging as I am able. For the moment, I can tell all of you that Kevin has left it to me to find the judges. I have secured one person so far who is a colleague of mine here in Ottawa. Her name is Gloria Jean Nagy and I will provide her bio info at the end of this post. I am looking to have 3 judges if possible and I am hoping that I can obtain varied backgrounds and experiences in specific areas of music if possible. Also, the judges will not be paid in cash; perhaps a small gift will be given by myself at the end to each of them. And, also if at all possible, the judging papers will be send to each participant along with the book copy of my chorale at the conclusion of this challenge.

In terms of the process, I plan to draw up a paper similar to what would be used at examinations or competitions generally. I will provide more detail later on but for the moment, I am thinking of doing it this way:

A. Compositional Elements (total of 50 marks)
1. Word Setting (out of 15 marks)
2. Instruments chosen, usage and appropriateness to genre of piece (out of 10 marks)
3. Layout of the music: melody lines, chord choices, rhythms, tempo, key changes and transitions, introduction/interludes, articulations, conclusion of the piece, etc. (out of 15 marks)
4. Composer's 'style' (out of 10 marks)

B. Score Layout (total of 20 marks)
1. clarity (out of 10 marks)
2. accuracy (out of 10 marks)

C. Originality and Creativity (out of 20 marks)

D. Judges' Opinion to question "Does this composition succeed?" (and this is to be placed in a context of one of the following: (a) if the piece is meant to fall into a specific genre, or (b) if the piece is to be considered "unique". (total of 10 marks)

I welcome comments on the above but I do not really plan to change anything unless someone convinces me that I really, really need to consider some other angle of importance that perhaps I hadn't thought of but that should be included. Again, this is a 'fun' competition so I hope to keep everything as straight forward as possible.

Below is the bio I promised for Judge Number 1:

Gloria Jean Nagy is the founding director of the duo Cantabile, now in its twenty-sixth season. She holds a Master of Music in Literature and Performance (Voice) from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma from the Liszt Ferenc Zeneakademia (Budapest) and has been a vocal instructor at Carleton University and for the Ottawa-Carleton District Board of Education (Canterbury High School) and De La Salle High School. She has frequently been heard in concert as a vocalist, accompanist and choral conductor and tours Canada as both a vocal\ choral music festival adjudicator and is also a Conservatory examiner in voice and junior piano. In addition to numerous vocal clinics and workshops, Professor Nagy has appeared in many operatic productions and will perform in April with the Ottawa Savoy Society in their production of H.M.S. Pinafore at the new Algonquin Theatre (April 11-20, 2013). Gloria Jean maintains a busy vocal piano/ rudiments studio of students ranging in age from 8 to 82. She has been broadcast many times by CBC Radio, Societé Radio Canada and Rogers Cablevision and has delighted audiences in Canada, Hungary, Spain and France. She is an active administrator for the local chapter of ORMTA (ORB past president), NATS (past secretary), ACNMP (Alliance for New Music Projects) and EOFCC.(Eastern Ontario Friends of Conservatory Canada) and was named ORMTA Ottawa special teacher in 2008. In 2002 and 2006 she and Dr. Elaine Keillor performed on CD’s promoting Canadian music first by Toronto composer Mary Gardiner through Conservatory Canada and then Canadian Songs for Parlour and Stage for Carleton Sound.

[Kevin]

This competition seems to be going well and I would like to add a message of thanks for Anne for putting in a lot of work to ensure it's success. I hope that a few more of you may consider "having a go".

[Joseph]

well, I have done some drastic cutting of my initial layout so as to include the 5th verse without going on endlessly. Having lived with the text for a bit now I have some thoughts. Verse 1 & 3 line up reasonably well as does verse 4, all with a little give and take. Verse 2 does not feel like a verse to me, its meter is all different. It all feels very much like a pop tune with verses, chorus and a release. Metrically and lierally verse 5 is another song altogether in my humble opinion. It shares nothing that I can see with what comes before and after. The literary ideas in verse 5 are hard put to have much to do with what has been laid out in the previous verses and choruses. A bit schizophrenic! I can make it all work as one extended piece drawing on bipolar tendencies but it feels quite a bit unbalanced rhythmically and on the literary plateau. That is my conundrum. Did I say verse 2 makes a GREAT release? My favorite part!