Creative New Zealand / Jack C.Richards Composer-in-Residence at NZSM 2015-16

Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), Victoria University of Wellington invites applications for the Creative New Zealand/Jack C. Richards Composer-in-Residence at NZSM for the period July 2015–June 2016.

The appointment is jointly funded by Creative New Zealand and private donor Dr Jack C. Richards, with the NZSM as host organisation. This position fosters and expands the New Zealand musical landscape by providing an established composer with the opportunity to write full-time for the period of tenure.

Applicants should be composers of proven merit and be New Zealand citizens or hold New Zealand residency. Applicants may not be employees of, or have been employed by, the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) or Victoria University in the twelve months prior to the closing date. Students working towards the completion of a tertiary qualification in the period of the residency are also ineligible. Individuals who have been a composer-in-residence in a Creative New Zealand-supported residency within the twelve months prior to the start of the residency are not normally eligible. Applicants should not normally receive any additional substantial income or paid leave during the period of the residency.

Benefits, Opportunities & Sector Partnerships
The residency provides numerous benefits and opportunities for the promotion, presentation and professional development of the successful candidate in the following ways:

Orchestra Wellington will offer the nominal position of Composer-in-Residence to the successful candidate, should the candidate have included an orchestral work in their Work Proposal document (see below), and guarantees performance of one new work written by the composer.

The Lilburn Residence Trust normally offers the use of the former home of Douglas Lilburn in Thorndon to the successful candidate for a modest rental. The house is located in an enclave of artist residences, including the Rita Angus Cottage and the Randell Cottage and is within walking distance of the NZSM.

Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) at Victoria University of Wellington offers to facilitate access to Wellington-based performers and ensembles (e.g. NZSQ, Stroma, Strike, Orchestra Wellington, Baroque Voices) who have agreed to consider programming new works written by the composer. It also provides the following hosting benefits:
• one of the largest composition programmes in NZ, with 8 permanent faculty (Prof John Psathas, Dr. Dugal McKinnon, Michael Norris, Dr. Dave Lisik, Dr. Stephan Prock, Kenneth Young, Dr. Ted Apel, Dr. Ajay Kapur) and over 100 composition students;
• a wide range of compositional expertise amongst staff, with research strengths in orchestral composition, jazz composition, film music, sonic arts, installation practice, multimedia, music technology/engineering and post-tonal theory;
• invitation to interact with, collaborate with, and compose for performance staff;
• an annual reception for the incoming and outgoing Composers-in-Residence to which the local composition community is invited;
• agreement to record at least one work composed during the residency, and to collaborate with the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) to film the recording for dissemination via the SOUNZ Website;
• Wai-te-ata Music Press agrees in principle to publish at least one of the works composed during the residency;
• a performance of at least one work within the NZSM lunchtime concert series;
• networking opportunities with Rattle Records for potential future projects;
• invitation to attend the weekly NZSM Composer Workshops, and to present two workshops during the period of their residency;
• invitation to sit on the jury of the annual NZSM Composers’ Competition;
• mentoring of senior postgraduate students of the NZSM;
• provision with an NZSM staff ID card, giving access to library facilities including scores, recordings, DVDs, etc, free entry to all NZSM events, and access to facilities including practice rooms, recording studios, electroacoustic music studios, technical assistance, when available;
• provision of office space, computer, IT support and network access.

Tenure and Terms
The appointment will be for twelve months from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. The appointee must reside in Wellington for the full term of employment, with any absences to be negotiated with the Programme Leader (Composition) of the NZSM. While there is no obligation of formal teaching at the NZSM, some contribution to the NZSM’s cultural and academic life is expected, in a manner appropriate to the personal strengths and preferences of the appointee, and in agreement with the Programme Leader (Composition) of the NZSM. Informal meetings with postgraduate students are particularly encouraged. The successful applicant will be hired as a VUW employee for the period of the residency, and will be required to submit a written report to the Programme Leader (Composition) within one month of the end of the tenure, which is forwarded to Creative New Zealand in accordance with their residency regulations. The gross annual salary for the position will be NZ$50,000 for the twelve-month period, which includes 8% holiday pay to be paid when the term of appointment ends.

Selection process
The selection committee will comprise at least 3 members of the composition staff of the NZSM. The committee will base their decision on the artistic standards and track record of the applicant, as evidenced through a CV and portfolio of representative works, as well as the potential of the proposed works for the residency to make a significant contribution to New Zealand music.

Further enquiries may be made to Michael Norris, Acting Programme Leader (Composition), NZSM. Email: michael.norris@nzsm.ac.nz; Ph: (04) 463 7456.

Application process
Applications should be made via email to the HR Coordinator, NZSM (recruit@nzsm.ac.nz). Please send text files in either MS Word or PDF format, music scores in PDF format, and recordings in either MP3, AIFF or WAV format. Works with a visual component should be hosted via an online video service such as Vimeo or YouTube, and submitted as a web link. Audio or video files larger than 10Mb should be sent to the above email via a file-sharing service such as DropBox or SendSpace. Please note that electronic documents and links are preferred to physical submissions. Any physical documents sent will not be returned or saved for applicants for collection later.

The following files must be submitted with applications:

(a) A current CV, which must include your contact details, qualifications, compositional experience, current employment status and a list of selected compositional output.
(b) A portfolio of no more than 4 representative works. For notated works, please submit both scores and recordings; for works with a visual component, please submit links to online videos (such as YouTube or Vimeo).
(c) A Work Proposal document for the tenure (see below).
(d) Confirmation that you are a New Zealand citizen or that you hold New Zealand residency.

Work Proposal
The Work Proposal document must include the following items:

a) An outline of all works you wish to undertake during the residency, including a tentative timetable for completion, intended performers, and any tentative or firm performance dates and venues.
b) Applicants wishing to be considered for the Orchestra Wellington Composer-in-Residence position must include details of an orchestral work to be completed during the residency.
c) Dr. Jack C. Richards has also stipulated that all applicants should propose a solo piece for classical instrument of a difficulty level suitable for a senior performance student (for example, to be performed as part of a performance exam or competition).
d) Please also provide details of any external funding (e.g. commission money) you will receive for any of the proposed works to be completed during your tenure. As the salary for the residency is funded by Creative New Zealand, it may be considered inappropriate to receive any additional Creative New Zealand commission money for work completed during your tenure.
e) In order to develop relationships between Wellington musicians and the composer-in-residence, applicants are encouraged to write for specific Wellington-based performers and ensembles included on the following webpage: http://www.nzsm.ac.nz/about-us/jobs/cir2015-16. Although the purpose of this partnership is for the mutual benefit of both composer and performer/ensemble, neither composer nor performer(s) is bound contractually in any legal sense. The Programme Leader (Composition) at the NZSM may help facilitate networks with these performers.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 28 November 2014.

Canzona Special Edition – Contributions Invited

All CANZ members are invited to contribute to a special edition of Canzona celebrating the first 30 years of the Nelson Composers Workshop.

In this issue, it is hoped that each year will be celebrated with images and a text by a participant about their own experience of the Workshop and their memories of a particular year.

Note that
– the text is intended to be reflective and personal (not straight reportage)
– contributions can be from 100-750 words long
– if you’d rather not write about a particular year but just offer a more general reflection on the Workshop this is also very welcome

We are also seeking photos from each year of the Workshop. Please contact Samuel Holloway at canzona@canz.net.nz for more information or to offer text or photos. A deadline of 21 November is suggested.

2014 International Children’s Songwriting Contest

Purpose:
1. Encourage college students majoring in arts, humanities, education, or others to write songs for children
2. Arouse public interest and attention to songwriting for children.
3. Produce more good songs for our children.

Organizer: Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, College of Applied Human Ecology, Kun Shan University, Tainan, Taiwan

Supervised and Sponsored by: Ministry of Education, Taiwan

Other Sponsors: Band Musical Instrument Studio

Categories:
1. International Category: College students from any country of the world other than Taiwan, Kinmen and Matsu can enter.
2. Domestic Category: College students from Taiwan, Kinmen or Matsu can enter

Registration:
1. The registration form, printed sheet music with lyrics on it, and a prerecorded CD must be sent together to the address indicated in the contact information below. On the envelope please indicate “Registration for the 2014 Songwriting Contest – International Category”. The registration form can be downloaded from the website http://www.ksu.edu.tw/eng/unit/D/T/CH/CED/.
2. Do not put identifying information on the materials sent in. The identifying information only can be shown on the registration form.
3. The song must be original and unpublished, for both music and lyrics.
4. The lyrics must be written with English and meant for children.
5. The length of the song must be at least eight bars and time limit is five minutes.
6. Students can form teams to attend the contest, but no more than five persons a team. There is also a limit of 3 entries per person.
7. The song does not have to be performed by the songwriter, and the recording quality of material is not relevant to the judging process.
8. All entries must be sent in before February 27, 2015.
9. All submitted entries will not be returned.

Awards:
First Place: US $ 500 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Second Place: US $400 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Third Place: US $ 300 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Fourth Place: US $ 200 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Fifth Place: US $ 100 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Honorable Mention (3 places): US $ 35 or equivalent prize and award certificate.
Best Popularity Award (2 places): Award certificate.

Note:
1. The top three placing contestants need to have a score of 80 or higher to receive the prize.
2. The awards will be deducted 5% for tax.

Judging Criteria:
1. Pleasant and suitable for children to sing (30%).
a. Rhythm complexity and pitch level are suitable for a child’s singing ability.
b. The lyrics is not beyond children’s life experience or understanding.
2. Originality (30%).
3. Songwriting craftmanship (40%).
4. The recording quality of material is not relevant to the judging process.

Judge Panel
Well-known music composers and child education experts around the world.

Announcement of Results:
1. The winners will be announced on the Kun Shan University website on March 13, 2015.
2. No more than two entries of a person will be awarded.
3. The copyright of all awarded works is belonged to the organizer of this contest. The organizer has the right to copy, adapt, publish, perform, and any other using for publicity purposes.

Awards Showcase:
1. Event Date: March 27, 2015.
2. Event Location: Assembly Hall, Kun Shan University, Tainan, Taiwan.
3. All winners must attend the awards showcase and perform their songs.
4. The performers should bring their own instruments except keyboard, which will be provided by the Organizer.
5. If the winners cannot attend the showcase, they should find someone else to present their songs for them or sent in the prerecorded CD to the Organizer by March 24, 2015.

Contact information:
Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, Kun Shan University,
No. 195, Kunda Rd., YongKang Dist., Tainan City 710-03, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel: 886-6-2727175-316 Email: dlfc@mail.ksu.edu.tw

8th JFC Composer’s Award Contest

“Contest in Handwritten Score”

Purpose of the Contest
– Music is easily made with electronics and can easily be listened.
– Danger of making melody easily is fraught.
– In this contest, music must be written by hand.
– Experts have always handwritten the melody that gushes forth, and by struggling to elaborate, the excitement of the premiere grew stronger.
– By this activity, a new yet old feeling of urges towards compositions will be discovered.
Chairman of the Executive Committee Junnosuke Yamamoto

Application Procedure
1. Age and nationality is not asked.
2. One composition each.
3. Application fee 10,000 Yen. (Transfer money to the designated account by due date)
4. Performance of composition is limited to 12 minutes.
5. One to five of the instruments written below must be used in the composition.
2 Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Flute (Piccolo, Alto Flute, Exchanging Allowed), Oboe (Cor Anglais Exchanging Allowed), Clarinet (A Tube, B flat Tube, Bass Clarinet Exchanging Allowed), Bassoon, Horn
If the conductor is needed, it is possible to have one, but in this case, the composer himself must conduct while reaching the requirements. Performance fee will not be paid. Before sending the application, it must say conductor on the score.
6. The performers of the final stage will be selected by the organizers.
7. Send four copies of the compositions with the application but the composer must keep the original copy safely.
8. The composition must not have a history of winning any contests.
9. On the front page of the score, the title, name of the composer, must been written both in Japanese and English.
10. Fill in all the blanks on this application, and put a picture of the composer, and send it with the composition. (Pictures of applicants who passed the score examination will be on flyer)
11. The composition must be mailed or brought to The Japan Federation of Composers Inc. (JFC) office which is the address written on the cover of the application by 5 PM on July 31st 2015 (Friday).

The composition will be examined strictly by the judges that JFC has commissioned, and on November 25th 2015 (Wednesday), the “Final JFC Board Composition Award Contest” will be held at Toppan Hall where the compositions will be performed. The winners will be decided by the judges there, and the prize money/award will be given. Rehearsals will be allowed at Toppan Hall the day before the contest. However, the amount of rehearsal time given to each composition will be decided by the board members. It is not required for the exhibitor to come to the rehearsal, but it will be better if they did.

Performance Group: Undecided

Warnings
 The compositions that have been submitted will not be allowed to be revised.
 Plagiarism will be disqualified in any circumstances.
 The parts of the composition that will be performed must be submitted to JFC after the first examination by September, 2015. The expense spent to make the composition is paid individually. If the composition is not submitted by the date given, it will result in disqualification.
 Depending on the composition and the circumstances, the composition may not be played even if it passes the first examination.
 The performance royalties will be paid by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers based on the regulations.

Awards
 JFC Composers First Place : 200,000 Yen
・ In addition, the winning work will be produced by JFC, and distributed to the major music-related groups・organizations・libraries around the world.
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Head of the Jury: Akio Yasuraoka
Jury: Eisuke Tsuchida, Junnosuke Yamamoto

Chairman of the Executive Committee: Junnosuke Yamamoto
Executive Committee: Masao Endo, Ryuichi Horikoshi

Contact・Submission Address

* If you wish to submit an entry please email secretary@canz.net.nz for the application form.

The Japan Federation of Composers Inc. JFC Award Clerk
〒151-0061 Mimori bldg. 101 1-19-4 Hatsudai, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel (813)-6276-1177 Fax (813) -3376-3371 E-mail info@jfc.gr.jp　HP www.jfc.gr.jp
Exhibition Fee Transfer Information: Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank Yotsuya Branch 4593730
Account Holder : The Japan Federation of Composers Inc.
(Transfer charges are paid by individuals)

ISCM-Musicarama 2015 in Hong Kong

The ISCM Hong Kong Section (Hong Kong Composers’ Guild, www.hkcg.org) is organizing a mini-festival called ISCM-Musicarama 2015 held from 31st May to 3rd June 2015, which consists of 4 concerts and a symposium. An international jury (Vytautas Germanavicius, Isao Matsushita, Peter Swinnen, Richard Tsang & Marcel Wengler) will select the pieces among submissions from ISCM composers. Around 28 compositions will be performed by 2 visiting groups and some of the best local musicians. A maximum of 10 composers-speakers will deliver paper presentations on their music. We now call for scores internationally. Overseas composers whose works are featured will be provided 2 nights of hotel accommodation. Besides attending the rehearsals and performances, the featured composers will also be invited to talk about their music in a full-day symposium which can accommodate a maximum of 10 composers-speakers, each of them will also be given a small speaker honorarium of 100 euro.

The Festival would like to call for works based on the following performing groups:
– Orchestral music – Global Symphony Orchestra (Hong Kong)
– Chamber music for Western instruments – Ensemble Kochi (Japan)
– Chamber music for mixed Western and Chinese instruments – members of the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
– Choral music – Taipei Chamber Singers (Taiwan)

Submission Requirements:
* Only composers from ISCM Sections/Members will be considered.
* All scores must be sent via the ISCM Sections/Members, not as individual submissions. Each ISCM Section/Member can submit up to 6 scores.
* Only one submission per composer can be accepted.
* Category 1 – for orchestra without soloist: 3-3-3-3/ 4-3-3-1/ 3 perc, timp, harp, 12-10-8-6-4
* Category 2 – chamber music (up to 10 players): fl/ob/cl/fg/hrn/2vns/va/vc/cb
* Category 3 – chamber music mixing Western and Chinese instruments (up to 14 players): fl/cl/hrn/vn/va/vc/pf/perc x 1/sheng/guanzi/liuqin/pipa/guzheng/erhu
* Category 4 – choral music (up to 32 singers, with or without accompaniment)

Submission format
1. PDF version of the score (and parts) saved on a CD/DVD
2. A recording of the submitted work, if available.
3. The year of composition (it is recommended that submitted works should be written after 1999).
4. A fairly accurate duration of the work. It is preferable that works submitted are not too lengthy; around 8 to 15 minutes is recommended.
5. Programme notes of the submitted work in English (approximately 200 words with a soft copy in MS Word document).
6. Indication of whether the work will be a world or Hong Kong premiere in this Festival.
7. A short biography of the composer in English (approximately 200 words with a soft copy in MS Word document).
8. A recent photo of the composer (preferably in jpeg format).
9. Mailing address and e-mail address of the composer.
10. An indication of whether a 20-minute paper presentation of this composition can be delivered in English by the composer during the Symposium, if given a 3-month advanced notice.

By submitting to the Festival, the composer shall agree to make available all necessary performing materials (including scores and parts, special items, etc.) for the performance of the work, if selected. The submitted materials will only be returned if this is expressly requested. Submissions which do not meet the conditions or deadlines specified above will not be considered.

Submission Deadline: 7th November 2014

CANZ will select 6 works for submission. Please ensure your entry accurately meets the requirements above.

Entries should be sent to:
CANZ
PO Box 4065
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

The Molinari Quartet’s Sixth International Competition for Composition

Through its Composition Competition, the Molinari Quartet wishes to encourage young composers to write for string quartet. Over the past centuries, the string quartet has become, thanks to the great masterpieces written for the formation, a highly valued but dreadful form to write for for composers. But even today, in 2014, the string quartet is as alive and exciting as ever!

The Molinari Quartet contributes to the development of the string quartet literature by encouraging composers to send new original scores to its Competition.

The Molinari Quartet is pleased to announce its Sixth International Competition for Composition for string quartet.

Composers are invited to submit an original work for string quartet. The best compositions will be played in concert during the Molinari Quartet’s Twentieth and Beyond series to be held in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) during the 2015-2016 season.

The jury will be comprised of the Molinari Quartet’s artistic director and its musicians, in addition to well-known Canadian composers John Rea, Michel Gonneville and Ana Sokolovic who will determine four winners. The winning compositions will be performed by the Molinari Quartet during a special concert during the 2015-2016 season. After the concert performance the jury will deliberate and choose the order of the winners. The First Prize winner shall receive a $3000 grant as well as a silkscreen by renowned Canadian artist Guido Molinari. The second prize winner will receive a $2000 grant and the third prize winner a $1000 grant. The jury reserves the right not to grant all three prizes.

The winners will be invited to work with the Molinari Quartet prior to the concert and to participate in the Dialogues at the Chapelle, a public workshop of discussions and analysis produced by the Molinari Quartet.

Rules for Eligibility:

· Candidates must be 40 years old or less as of April 1st 2015, the due date for registration.

· The work must not exceed 20 minutes.

· Only works for string quartet that have neither been performed professionnally nor published as of April 1st 2015 shall be accepted.

· Works for quartet and electronics are accepted.

· Scores must be received by the Molinari Quartet at the latest April 1st 2015. (The post

office stamp shall be recognized as the receiving date)

· Registration fees of $25 CAN must accompany all scores. *

· A candidate may submit more than one work, but each work must be sent separately.

· Parts and scores shall remain the property of the Molinari Quartet.

· The candidate must send a score as well as separate playing parts to the Molinari Quartet.

· All scores must be sent anonymously; only a pseudonym can appear on the score pages.

· The candidate shall also send a sealed envelope bearing his or her pseudonym which will contain his or her name, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number, birth date, resumé as well as a statement as to the fact that the work is yet unpublished and that it has never been performed professionnally.

· The composer whose work has been chosen as one of the winning compositions, will not receive any extra payment for the execution or recording of the work.

· The winners of the competition commit themselves to find the necessary funding for a stay in Montreal to work with the Molinari Quartet and assist to the performance in the 2015-2016 season.

* The registration fees may be paid by cheque (to Molinari Quartet), Paypal or cash. We also accept US dollars but you must add 5$ to cover the bank’s conversion fees.

Competition Calendar:

Competition launch: September 2014
Due date for registration and receiving scores: April 1st 2015
Jury: May 2015
Announcement of winners: May 2015
Winners Concert: 2015-2016 season

Please send scores to:

Molinari Quartet
P.O. Box 56536
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H1W 3Z3

For more information write to : qm@quatuormolinari.qc.ca

21st Century Japanese Music Project: New Music Composition Contest for the YIS Japanese Music Ensemble

The International Center for Japanese Culture (ICJC) is working to promote new compositions for traditional Japanese instruments in order to bring attention to their unique sounds and musical capabilities. In spite of increasing worldwide exposure and interest in the traditional music and instruments of Japan, new compositions which successfully combine both western and Japanese instruments are still unusual.

2015 is the inaugural year of the 21st Century Japanese Music Project, and the first initiative is the creation of a composition contest combining the Japanese koto with one western instrument (details below). The competition aims to promote a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture and international collaboration through new music written by composers worldwide.

Winning compositions will be awarded a cash prize of ¥500,000 for first place and ¥100,000 for second place. In addition, winning compositions will be performed both in Japan and the USA in 2015 by the award winning Yokohama International School High Japanese Music Ensemble as well as published through Mother Earth Publishing Company.

Submission Requirements

1) Instrumentation: The submitted works must be written for two to five performers including up to three 13-string kotos and one 17-string bass koto. One western instrument must be included in the composition (flute, clarinet, violin or cello).

2) Composition Length: 6 to 12 minutes.

3) Score: Western Score

4) Other stipulations: No age limit or nationality requirement.Composition should not be previously performed or recorded.

*For more information on composing for the Japanese koto, as well as video recordings of the YIS Japanese Music Ensembles, please see ICJC homepage at www.icjc.jp.

Submission Deadline

Sunday, May 31, 2015 (6:00pm local time)

Please click here for full details.

NZ at ISCM 2014

The ISCM World New Music Days is currently taking place in Wrocław, Poland. CANZ holds the New Zealand membership of ISCM.

New Zealand has been represented by Glenda Keam and Mary Binney (CANZ Committee) as official delegates, Samuel Holloway as New Zealand’s representative composer, and Julie Sperring of SOUNZ as IAMIC delegate.

We are delighted that Glenda Keam has been elected to the Executive Committee of the ISCM for a two-year term, the first time a New Zealander has held a position on this Committee.