The Ithaca College School of Music administers a bi-annual wind ensemble/concert band composition contest. The prize succeeds the Walter Beeler Memorial Commission Series established 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. During his thirty-five year tenure as conductor of the Ithaca College Concert Band, Walter Beeler ("Mr. Band") premiered a number of new compositions for wind band. His method books, arrangements, and transcriptions for wind band number nearly 200.
The next contest will occur in the fall of 2008. For a full list of contest rules and deadlines, visit Competition Details, or send an inquiry to the Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize, School of Music, Ithaca College, 3322 Whalen Center, Ithaca NY 14850-7250.
The Walter Beeler Memorial Commission Series
1975 Karel Husa Al Fresco
1976 Paul Creston Liberty Song '76
1977 Armand Russell Myth for Winds and Percussion
1978 Alfred Reed Othello
1979 Anthony Milner Concerto for Symphonic Wind Band
1980 Fisher Tull Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Band
1981 Robert Jager Concerto for Band
1982 Philip Lang Tribute
1983 Roger Nixon San Joaquin Sketches
1984 David Amram Andante and Variations on a Theme for Macbeth
The Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize
1987 Paul Reale Moonrise, A Polonaise, Early Light
1989 Frank Ticheli Music for Winds and Percussion
1992 Warren Benson Adagietto (commissioned by Ithaca College for the College centennial)
1994 Adam Gorb Metropolis
1996 Jeffrey Hass Lost in the Funhouse
1998 Evan Chambers Polka Nation
2000 David Dzubay Myaku
2002 Michael Djupstromm Homages
2004 John Mackey Redline Tango
2006 No Prize Awarded
