Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize

History of the Beeler Prize

The Ithaca College School of Music announces the tenth biennial Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize. This prize succeeds the Walter Beeler Memorial Commission Series estbalished in 1975. Funded by the Ithaca College School of Music, its alumni, and friends, the highly successful original series produced 10 compositions for the wind band. The Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize has been created to further encourage the composition and performance of the highest quality wind band literature in honor and memory of Ithaca College's renowned director of bands.

Submission deadline: 15 October 2008

Guidelines:

1. Entries must be original, unpublished compositions for wind ensemble/concert band, utilizing standard wind band instrumentation. No transcriptions/arrangements (except those of the composer) will be eligible.
2. The composition may have already been performed, but shall have been written within three years of the contest deadline.
3. The composition should be conceived and constructed to ensure an effective performance by professional, university, and high school bands alike.
4. Entries shall be between 7 and 15 minutes in length.
5. Compositions must be submitted with a full score and compact disc recording. Compositions without recordings will not be considered. Do not send parts with your scores
6. All rights, including copyrighting, remain with the composer.
7. Open to all composers except:
   • Past winners of the Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize.
   • Any composer who received a commission from the Walter Beeler Memorial Commission.
   • Ithaca College faculty.

Prize:

1. Cash prize of $2,500, with the performance of the work in spring 2007. The winner is strongly encouraged to attend the performance. Travel is at the composer's own expense.
2. The winning composition will be professionally recorded on compact disc at a later date by the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble.
3. The Ithaca College School of Music has the option of withholding the award if no entry is found to be suitable.

Submission and Return Guidelines:

1. A sealed envelope with the name and address of the composer should be affixed to the title page of the score. The date of the composition must appear on the title page.
2. The composer's name must not appear on the score or the recording.
3. All entries must be received by the committee chair not later than 15 October 2006. Entries received after that date will not be considered.
4. The winning composition will be selected and the composer notified no later than 15 December 2006. Parts for the winning composition must be received by the Ithaca College School of Music no later than 15 January 2007.
5. A self-addressed, stamped mailer must be included for return. All precautions will be taken to ensure that manuscripts and CDs are returned safely, but Ithaca College cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage in transit.
6. Mail entry to:
   Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize
   School of Music
   Ithaca College
   3322 Whalen Center for Music
   Ithaca, NY 14850-7240