Jazz Ensemble
Composition Contest
Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble 2010 Composition Contest
Prize: $500 and publication of the winning piece by eJazzLines' Jazz Lines Publications
Composers: Please come back to this page this fall for details on the 2011 contest.
2010 WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
The winner of the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble 2010 Composition Contest, chosen by unanimous vote of the band, is:
WINNER: Transcen-Dance, composed by Michael Conrad (Cedar Falls, IA)
Two pieces receive honorable mention, which will be given a surprise cash prize of $50 each:
HONORABLE MENTION: Sorted Sort of Fellow, by Earl MacDonald (Mansfield Center, CT)
HONORABLE MENTION: And When It Rains, by Omar Thomas (Somerville, MA)
The winning composition "Transcen-Dance" was performed on Sunday April 18th, 2010 in Ford Hall Auditorium in the Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College.
About the contest
The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble announces the first annual Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest. The contest has been created to encourage the composition and performance of the highest possible quality of jazz ensemble literature. Therefore, the winner of the contest will be awarded a cash prize of $500 and the piece will be published by eJazzLines in their series "Jazz Lines Publications." The members of the IC Jazz Ensemble will help judge the contest.
To view the complete set of rules and print out the entry form, click and download the following PDF document:
http://www.ithaca.edu/music/ensembles/jazzensemble/docs/JazzCompContestEntry.pdf
Contest Rules
1. Entries must be original, unpublished compositions for instrumental jazz ensemble, utilizing the following instrumentation:
a. 5 saxophones, with doubling options in parenthesis:
i. 1st saxophone (alto sax, soprano sax, flute and clarinet)
ii. 2nd saxophone (alto sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet and bass clarinet)
iii. 3rd saxophone (tenor sax and soprano sax)
iv. 4th saxophone (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet)
v. 5th saxophone (baritone sax)
b. 4 trombones (3 tenor + 1 bass trombone). Jazz solos should be in the 1st part.
c. 4 Bb trumpets or flugelhorn (1st trumpet range should go no higher than a written D above the staff). Jazz solos should be in the 2nd or 3rd parts.
d. Rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass (acoustic or electric) and drum set.
2. No transcriptions or arrangements (except those of the composer) will be eligible. Ithaca College students, faculty or staff (or direct family members of a student, faculty or staff member) are not eligible to enter the contest.
3. The composition may already have been performed, but shall have been written in the past three years of the contest deadline.
4. The purpose of the prize is to encourage the composition and performance of the highest possible quality of jazz ensemble literature. Therefore, the composition should be conceived and constructed to ensure an effective performance by professional, university and high school jazz ensembles alike.
5. Entries shall be no longer than 15 minutes in length.
6. Compositions must be submitted with a full score, full set of parts and compact disc recording. Compositions without recordings or parts will not be considered. Computer / MIDI recordings will be accepted, but a recording of a live performance/reading is preferred.
7. The composer’s name must not appear on score, parts or recording. A sealed envelope with the entry form (which contains the composer’s name and contact information) and a check or money order for $25 made out to “Ithaca College” should be affixed by paper clip to the entry form in the inner envelope. The date of composition must appear on the title page. Entry fees will not be returned for any reason.
8. Composers of any age or national origin are eligible. Composers may submit as many pieces as they like, but each piece must be submitted separately with a separate entry fee, application form and outer/inner envelopes for each.
9. The winning composition will be selected and the composer notified no later than March 1, 2010.
10. The composer of the winning composition will receive a cash prize of $500, with the performance of the work scheduled to occur on April 18th, 2010 in Ford Hall at the Whalen Center for Music, Ithaca College. The Winner is strongly encouraged to attend the performance. Travel is at the composer’s own expense.
11. eJazzLines has agreed to publish the winning piece in their Jazz Lines Publications series. The winning composer must provide print-ready parts in PDF form for eJazzLines in order for them to publish the piece. The composer agrees that the piece shall bear the subtitle “Winner of the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble 2010 Composition Contest.”
12. The Ithaca College School of Music has the option of withholding the award if no entry is found to be suitable.
13. If the composers do not opt to let Ithaca College keep their pieces (an option indicated on the entry form) for consideration for future performance, they must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of their materials. 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.
14. Composers should send their manuscripts, parts, CDs and inner sealed envelopes containing entry form and entry fee of $25 (check or money order payable to Ithaca College) to Patricia Phelps, Jazz Composition Contest, Ithaca College, School of Music, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850. All inquiries should be sent to the same address c/o Pat Phelps.
15. Composers must not attempt to contact any of the members of the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble to exert influence over the outcome of the contest. Any attempt to do so will immediately disqualify the composer and all their submissions from the contest.