Composition Contest
Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble 2013 Composition Contest
About the contest
The contest has been created to encourage the composition and performance of the highest possible quality of jazz ensemble literature playable by high school, honor bands, college bands and professional bands alike. Therefore, pieces should be created with all of those groups in mind.
For the 2013 contest, all entries are required to feature trombone soloist. This can either be as a separate/additional trombone part, or a significant trombone solo portion within one of the existing trombone parts.
Entries will be awarded in two categories:
- high school students (have not yet started full-time college study), and
- all others (college student, pro, etc.).
The winning pieces in both categories will be performed and recorded by the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble with legendary trombone soloist Jack Gale who will serve as guest artist at the concert on Friday, October 11th, 2013, at the Ithaca College School of Music. The entire concert will be web streamed live at /music/live/. The winner in category 2 will receive a $300 honorarium, and category 1 will receive $150.
Click here to view the list of previous contest winners.
Entry Deadline
Entries must be received by August 16th, 2013 to be eligible.
Contest Rules
1. Entries must be original, unpublished compositions for instrumental jazz ensemble, featuring a trombone solo, utilizing the following instrumentation:
a. 5 saxophones, AATTB (lead alto could doulble on soprano). Common woodwind doubling may be possible, but any/all woodwind doubling parts must be optional, and the chart must be playable without the doubles. Non-doubling parts must also be provided. We will not know the specific doubles available until after the contest entry deadline, so it is advised to use woodwind doubling sparingly.
b. 4 trombones (3 tenor + 1 bass trombone). The featured trombone may either be fully within the 1st trombone aprt, or as an additional soloist part (in which case there would be 5 total trombone parts: 3 Bb, 1 bass + 1 solo part). Mr. Gale also plays baritone horn, which is an option for the solo part.
c. 4 Bb trumpets or flugelhorns. Common mutes (plunger, straight, cup, harmon, or bucket) are usable. The 1st trumpet range should not go higher than a written D above the staff to maximize playability for younger bands.
d. Rhythm section of piano, guitar, acoustic bass and drum set. A vibes part may also be possible.
e. In addition trombone, other members of the ensemble may also be given solos.
f. Although the trombone is to be a primary soloist, the featured trombone part/portions may be orchestrated to be in unison, harmony or counterpoint with other soloists or groups within in the ensemble. Creativity in this regard is encouraged.
g. Entrants in the high school category (category 1) may submit pieces with reduced instrumentation. Entrants in category 2 must submit pieces for full jazz ensemble.
2. No transcriptions or arrangements (except arrangements of the composer's own works) 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 and must be unpublished.
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 honors jazz ensembles. Pieces will be judged on (1) overall musical quality, (2) playability/appropriateness for high school, college-age and professional bands alike, and (3) proper/professional notation.
5. Entries shall be no longer than 10 minutes in length.
6. Compositions must be submitted with a full score, full set of parts and compact disc recording. Compositions without recordings or complete parts will not be considered. Computer / MIDI recordings will be accepted, but a recording of a live reading/rehearsal or performance is preferred.
7. The submissions must be completely anonymous. Therefore, the composer’s name must not appear on score, parts or CD, nor be audible on the enclosed CD (if the composer's name is announced at the recorded performance, that portion should be edited out). A sealed envelope containing the printed entry form (which contains the composer’s name and contact information; see "How to enter the contest" below for the link to the online entry form) 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. Entrants in the high school category (category 1) must be currently enrolled in high school, with a maximum age of 18. Entrants in category 2 can be any age. In both categories, composers of any national origin are eligible. Previous winners are also eligible. Composers may submit as many pieces as they like, but each piece must be submitted separately with a separate entry fee, printed entry form and outer/inner envelopes for each.
9. The winning compositions will be selected and the composers notified no later than September 15, 2013.
10. The winning composer in Category 1 (high school-age) will receive an honorarium of $150, and the Category 2 winner (all others) will receive $300. Both winners will receive a concert recording of their piece with guest artist Jack Gale, from the performance which is tentatively scheduled to occur on Friday, October 11th, 2013 in Ford Hall at the Whalen Center for Music, Ithaca College. In the unlikely event that an unforeseen situation prevents Mr. Gale from performing, the piece will still be recorded, but possibly with a different soloist. The winner is strongly encouraged to attend the performance. Travel is at the composer’s own expense.
11. The Ithaca College School of Music has the option of withholding the awards in either category if no entries are found to be suitable.
12. If the composer does not opt to let Ithaca College keep their piece (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 (the winning piece will be kept by Ithaca College regardless).
13. Composers should send their scores, parts, CDs and inner sealed envelopes containing the printed entry form (see web link below under "How to enter the contest") and entry fee of $25 (NO entry fee is required for high school composers in Category 1) in the form of check or money order payable to Ithaca College, to Jazz Composition Contest, Ithaca College, School of Music, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850. All inquiries should be sent to the same address.
14. Composers must not attempt to contact any of the members of the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble or IC faculty 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.
How to enter the contest
To enter the contest, click the following link to fill out an online submission form:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGN1RU9STWpwMGx2SEtzVTRkMXZvQXc6MQ
Print the form before clicking the submit button at the bottom of the form. Include the printout and entry fee in a sealed envelope which adjoins the score, parts and CD recording. Please note that the $25 entry fee is waived for high school age composers (Category 1).
