Chamber Music New Zealand Commissioning Prize

Chamber Music New Zealand invites entries for the inaugural CMNZ Commissioning Prize.

CMNZ is looking to commission a New Zealand composer who has not been commissioned by CMNZ before to write a new piece to be toured by a group in the 2022 Regional Series. CMNZ will work with the successful composer and the ensembles on the 2022 roster to find a collaboration that is pleasurable and beneficial to all.

Award: An 8–10 minute commission premiered and toured by a group in the CMNZ 2022 Regional Series. The fee will align with CANZ guidelines.

Eligibility: The prize will be awarded to a composer who has not been commissioned by CMNZ before. New Zealand composers, including NZ-born composers now based overseas and composers born overseas now living in Aotearoa will be considered.

Deadline: Sunday 21 February, 2021

Full details on CMNZ’s website.

ISCM World New Music Days 2021

CALL FOR WORKS

We are pleased to announce the official Call for Works for the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days 2021. Members are invited to submit scores/projects for the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days 2021, taking place in Shanghai and Nanning from September 17 – 20, 2021 (Shanghai) and September 21 – 25, 2021 (Nanning). For detailed information about the Call for Works, see nmw.shcmusic.edu.cn

CANZ Members should make their submissions to info@canz.net.nz by 1 March 2021 to be considered for inclusion in the Official Submission. 

OFFICIAL SUBMISSIONS

For Sections and Full Associate Members of the ISCM, the official submission will comprise six (6) works across at least four (4) of the twelve (12) different Score Categories identified in this Call for Works. For an official submission to be eligible each submitted work must be eligible, the durations specified for each work must be accurate, and the submitted works correctly aligned with the relevant category. Assuming the submission is eligible and the ISCM member is in good standing (2020 Annual Report completed and annual 2020 membership fee paid) we guarantee that at least one of the submitted works will be presented during the ISCM World New Music Days 2021.

For Affiliated Associate Members, an official submission will comprise up to three (3) works. While there is no guarantee that any particular work will be selected, the organizer will strive to include them where possible.

INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS

Individual Submissions must be submitted by an independent composer or a composer’s authorized representative. Submissions will be accepted from January 18, 2021 at www.iscm.org. An entry fee of €53.05 applies to Individual Submissions, payable at the time of submission by PayPal through the ISCM website.

Individual Submissions are not guaranteed a performance. Space for Individual Submissions is limited, but all submissions will be considered. Please promote this information via your networks.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Priority will be given to works within the recommended duration for each category. Furthermore, priority will be given to works written since 2012. Only one work per composer may be submitted, by either Individual submission or Official submission.

By submitting works to this Call, composers are agreeing that if their work is selected for performance/presentation, they automatically grant permission for the ISCM performance/presentation of their work to be recorded, broadcast, and streamed from the website without additional financial liability to the ISCM or the Festival Organizers.

INFORMATION REQUIRED

Information required for each Work to be submitted is:

  1. The composer’s personal and contact information: Given names; Family name; Name as it should appear in the programme; Date of birth; full Mailing address; Gender; Phone no.; email address; website (if applicable).
  2. Work information: Title; Submission Category; Accurate duration; Year of composition; Statement of whether the work has been previously performed.
  3. The score (.pdf document preferred), or audio/video documentation if the work does not have a written score – as described in the Work Categories.
  4. An audio or video recording of the work (if available).
  5. Programme notes for the submitted work in English (maximum 100 words).
  6. Technical rider specifying all equipment necessary to perform the work.
  7. Short biography of the composer in English (maximum 100 words).
  8. High-resolution digital photograph of the composer.

WORK CATEGORIES

Category I: Orchestral Works

  1. Instrumentation: 3 fl (II=picc, III=picc,afl). 3 ob (III=corA). 3 cl (III=bcl). 3 bn (III=dbn). – 4 hn. 3 tpt. 2 trbn. 1 btrbn. 1 tuba – 3 perc. 1 timp. 1 hrp – full strings
  2. Soloists are NOT allowed in the Composition, nor Piano.
  3. Works shorter than [12 minutes] will be given priority.

Category II: Works for Chinese Orchestra

1. Instrumentation: 2 Bangdi (I=Xiaodi, II=Qudi 2). 1 Qudi. 2 Xindi. 2 Soprano Sheng, 2 Alto Sheng. 1 Bass Sheng. 2 Soprano Suona.1 Alto Suona. 1 Tenor Suona. 1 Bass Suona. 1 Guan in C. 2 Yangqin. 2 Liuqin(II=Zhongruan). 4 Pipa. 4 Zhongruan. 2 Daruan. 1 Sanxian.

2 Guzheng. Timpani. 3 perc. Chinese Strings (Gaohu, Erhu, Zhonghu, Violoncello, Double Bass).

  1. Soloists are NOT allowed in the Composition, nor Piano.
  2. Works shorter than 12 minutes will be given priority.

Category III: String Quartet

  1. Works shorter than 8 minutes will be given priority.
  2. Extended techniques are allowed.

Category IV: Chamber Music Group A

  1. Works shorter than 8 minutes will be given priority.
  2. Instrumentation: 1 fl. 1 cl. 1 vln. 1 vc. 1 pno.
  3. Composers may choose any combination of 2 – 5 among the above instruments.
  4. Extended techniques on each instrument allowed.

Category V: Chamber Music Group B

  1. Works shorter than 8 minutes will be given priority.
  2. Instrumentation:1fl. 1ob. 1cl. 1trbn.1perc. 1pno. 2vln. 1vla. 1vc. 1db. 1dizi. 1erhu.1pipa
  3. Composers may choose any combination of 6 – 14 among the above instruments, but at least 1 must be included from Dizi, Erhu or Pipa.
  4. Extended techniques on each instrument allowed.
  5. The intro video of Chinese Instruments: Dizi, Erhu and Pipa will be posted on the official website.
  6. The list of percussion instruments is attached at the end of Call for Works.

Category VI: Choir Works (SATB)

  1. Works shorter than 5 minutes will be given priority.
  2. It can be a capella. If not, the only instrument that can be included is piano.
  3. Extended piano techniques will not be accepted.

Category VII: Solo Piano Works

  1. Works shorter than 8 minutes will be given priority.
  2. Extended techniques allowed on piano, performers are allowed to play inside the piano.
  3. Prepared piano works will not be accepted.

Category VIII: Percussion Works

  1. Works shorter than 8 minutes will be given priority.
  2. The list of percussion instruments that can be used is:6 Tom-toms
    5 Suspended Cymbals
    2 Tambourine
    2 Snare Drums
    3 Triangles
    1 Bass Drum
    1 Marimba
    1 Vibraphone
    1 Glockenspiel
    1 Xylophone
    1 Cymbals (paired)
    1 Wind Chime
    2 Maracas
    1 Tempo Block (5 Blocks) 2 Bongo 2 Conga
    1 Tam-tam
    4 TimpaniIf the work requires any percussion instrument not listed above, the composer must bring the instrument to the rehearsals and concert.
  3. Compositions may be for 2-8 percussionists.

Category IX, X, XI, XII: Electronic Music

  1. Works shorter than 10 minutes will be given priority.
  2. There are four (4) Electronic Music Categories; be sure that the composition submitted fitsone of these.

Category IX : Electronic Music (Fixed Media/Tape Music Only)

  1. Composers must provide an audio file of the work in .wav format. The audio file can have maximum 8 channels. (Format options are: stereo; 4 channels; 5.1; and 8 channels.)
  2. Composers must supply a diagram showing the speaker layout.

Category X : Electronic Music with 1 Instrumentalist (Fixed Media/Tape Music)

  1. Composers must provide an audio file of the work in .wav format. The audio file can have maximum 8 channels. (Format options are: stereo; 4 channels; 5.1; and 8 channels.)
  2. Composers must supply a diagram showing the speaker layout.
  3. Only one (1) instrument should be included, selected from the following instruments:Flute; Oboe; Clarinet; Bassoon; Horn; Trumpet; Trombone; Violin; Viola; Violoncello; Dizi; Erhu; or Pipa.

Category XI : Electronic Music (Live Electronics Only)

  1. Only one (1) Operator is allowed for live performance.
  2. It is recommended that the Composer or the operator bring their own laptop for the live performance. Only 1 laptop is allowed in the performance.
  3. No instrument can be linked to the electronics in this Category. The work can have maximum 8 channels, and the composer must supply a diagram showing the speaker layout.
  4. Any special sensor or devices that the composer used should be brought to the performance by themselves. We don’t provide any kind of sensor or trigger devices.
  5. If the composer needs to use our Mac or PC for performance, the only software we can provide is Max-MSP. We strongly recommend you bring your own laptop.

Category XII: Electronic Music (Live Electronics with 1 instrumentalist)

  1. The performance allows only 1 operator and 1 instrumentalist in this Category.
  2. Only one instrument may be selected from following instruments: Flute; Oboe; Clarinet;Bassoon; Horn; Trumpet; Trombone; Violin; Viola; Violoncello; Dizi; Erhu; or Pipa.
  3. The selected instrument can be linked to the electronics. But the sensor or any linked devices should be provided by the composer.
  4. We strongly recommend that the devices that the composer provides are common and universal, with connecting ports such as USB2.0, USB3.0, USB-C or any audio port.Bluetooth is recommended for any wireless connections.
  5. We suggest the Composer or the operator brings their own laptop for the live performance.Only 1 laptop allowed in the performance.
  6. The work can have maximum 8 channels, and the composer must supply a diagram showing the preferred speaker layout.

The 11th JFC Composers Award: Co-creation with instrument players/performers

The Japan Federation of Composers calls for proposals for an opportunity to collaborate with an ensemble of musicians.

The 11th JFC Composers Award calls for the chamber music composed for specific instrument players/ performers. We will provide the instruments playing art and method guidance to the Entrants. And we will accept the provisional score submission ahead to that of the final version. After the provisional submission, we will provide the occasion where the Entrants could ask the questions to instrument players/ performer.

Normally, on the composition competition regulation, addition and correction on the scores are not accepted.

But in the actual stage, composers and performers would co-work to make the best performance till the last minute. So we will admit addition and correction on the score with condition that the Jury would assist the repetitions/ rehearsals. And all the process　would be subject to screen.

This type of composer award might have never been held before. But ability to cope with them could be supposed to be one the composers’ quality. 

So we dare to raise the questions “This is what composer award should be”.

Works of up to 12 minutes duration for up to 8 players.

Available ensemble:

  • Ami OIKE : Violin , Viola
  • Masanori OISHI: Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophone)
  • Hideo KIKUCHI: Clarinet (Clarinet in E♭, B♭, A, and Bass Clarinet)
  • Shinya HASHIMOTO: Tuba, Serpent
  • Kei YAMAZAWA: Cello
  • Gaku YAMADA: Classic guitar (nylon strings), Acoustic guitar (steel strings), 
  • Electric guitar (effector negotiable), Electric bass

Ensemble may be augmented by up to 2 additional players, one of whom may be the composer themself.

Provisional submissions: 1 June–30 November 2021

Application period: 1–23 December 2021

Application fee: JPY 10,000

JFC Composers Award (one piece): JPY 200,000

Selected composers will be invited to contribute to the rehearsal process, either in person or remotely, towards a concert in Tokyo in March 2022.

Full details, including contact details for the Award organisers, can be found in this document.

Viola Composition Competition Winter 2021

Entries are invited for the 2021 Australian and New Zealand Viola Society Viola Composition Competition.

  1. The composer must be a resident or citizen of Australia or New Zealand.
  2. Divisions: There are two age divisions:
    1. Student: Under 18 years old as of 1stMay 2021
    2. Open: 18 years old or over as of 1stMay 2021
  3. Categories: Both divisions have three categories. Composers may submit one entry in each category:
    1. Viola Solo Category: Viola Solo(unaccompanied)
    2. Viola Ensemble Category: Two or four violas
    3. Viola Duo: Viola plus voice or one other instrument
  4. Compositions are to be up to five minutes duration including all movements if more than one.

Closing dates for both divisions: Saturday 1st May 2021

For further information please check the ANZVS Website: http://www.anzvs.com/

Choirs Aotearoa announces Compose Aotearoa!

From Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand:

Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Trust (Choirs NZ) is home to the three national choirs Voices NZ Chamber Choir, New Zealand Youth Choir and New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir. For over four decades we have benefitted from and contributed to the creation of new New Zealand choral works. With this competition we aim to encourage the development of choral writing in New Zealand and provide a high quality performance opportunity for these works. We invite submissions for choral works suitable for performance by any one of the three choirs.

The rules are attached and works can be submitted through our website here: Compose Aotearoa!

Deadline for submission is 5.00pm November 10, 2020 with winners announced November 30.

NZ Opera: Voices of Aotearoa 6:24

Voices of Aotearoa 6:24 is an exciting new opera project that invites emerging and experienced artists to explore what it might be like to create an opera.

The project will comprise six teams each featuring an opera singer, an instrumentalist, a composer and a writer. It is our intention that these teams reflect as widely as possible the diversity of our culture, musical heritage and geography.

Each team will work together to develop a narrative outline, identify a moment of song within this narrative and collaborate utilising their specific skills to realise the writing, composition and performance of the song.

Specialised input from New Zealand Opera will contribute to the development of a rich dialogue around the subject of what opera is and what it might be.

Are you an opera singer, instrumentalist, writer or composer who is keen to learn about creating opera? We invite you to send in your expression of interest by filling out our application form.

Details on NZ Opera’s website.

Wellington Jazz Festival announces four exciting jazz commission opportunities

Submissions are now open for four new jazz commissions by New Zealand composers to be presented at a re-scheduled Wellington Jazz Festival, 18–22 November 2020.

We know Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on musicians, technicians and many of the Festival’s regular music venues, bars and eateries across the region and country. In response, the Festival has reshaped its planned programme, shifted it to Spring, and is putting its resource and energy into ‘loving local’ – bringing audiences the finest homegrown jazz live in Wellington’s best music spots.

As well as playing at the Festival, one way we can support artists is to invest in them to create new music. This year, we’re providing an increased number of composition and performance opportunities for Aotearoa-New Zealand jazz composers and musicians.

Made possible by support from Creative New Zealand and Todd Corporation, a fee of between $10,000 and $12,500 for each commission will be awarded to composers to create a new piece of jazz music that will premiere at the Wellington Jazz Festival in November. The Festival is committed to inclusion and developing and celebrating the sounds of Aotearoa, and at least one commission will be awarded to a Māori composer.

Submissions are open now and close 5pm, Friday 3 July. The commissions are open to New Zealand-based citizens or residents and will be selected by a panel of jazz experts.

Full details on the Jazz Festival’s website.

CSO CompositionLab

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra is delighted to let you know about CompositionLab.  

CompositionLab is a three-part workshop where selected composers work in an in-depth manner with a CSO conducted ensemble to read and revise a sketch of a composition and test out new ideas.

This is a great opportunity for graduates or postgraduate students of composition to test out their musical ideas, develop them in conjunction with experienced professional musicians. Mentoring is available from established composers Chris Cree Brown (Winner of the 2010 APRA Silver Scrolls Contemporary award) and UC Head of New Music Reuben de Lautour if requested. 

Over three 3-hour sessions in September, up to four composers will be able to revise, test and try out their sketches of new compositions during readings with a conducted ensemble.

It is not necessary to submit a completed composition; in fact, we highly recommend you submit a work in progress that you would like to develop.

Orchestration available: single instruments: 1/1/1/2/0 1111.1111 timp, perc, harp

Notes on orchestration:

1.   Woodwind doubling is available.

2.   Percussion instruments will be played by one player only. Available instruments include:

  • Bass drum
  • Snare drum
  • Suspended and crash cymbals
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Tam Tam
  • Glockenspiel
  • Xylophone

Other percussion instruments can be requested for inclusion but is permitted at the discretion.

The workshops will take place in the Ron Ball Studio in the CSO Centre, Christchurch Town Hall over three weekends in September.

  • Friday 4 September       7–10pm
  • Saturday 5 September   1–4pm
  • Saturday 26 September  1–4pm

After the last workshop, there will be an informal performance in the Ron Ball Studio.

Applications close at 5pm 27th March.

If selected composers are based outside of Christchurch, the CSO will provide domestic flights.  Accommodation is at participants’ own expense.

For more information, please contact Head of Community Engagement Cathy Irons at cathy.irons@cso.co.nz or on 03 943 7797 ext. 2007.

Apply for CompositionLab

ISCM/ACL Festivals Social Media Update

The 2020 ISCM World New Music Days Festival will take place in Auckland and Christchurch, 21 – 30 April, coinciding with the Asian Composers League Festival in Christchurch from 28 April – 2 May.

This is the first time in ISCM’s 98-year history that World New Music Days has been hosted in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We cannot wait to bring you new music composed within the last 10 years by composers from 50 nationalities, international music leaders, composers and ensembles, an array of exciting New Zealand works, as well as performances by New Zealand’s top musicians including the APO and CSO.

Stay up to date with what’s happening at the Festival by connecting with us:

Call for Conference Proposals extended to 12 February

The deadline for the Conference (“Music Ecosystems”) attached to the ISCM 2020 World New Music Days has been extended to 12 February. CANZ members in particular are warmly invited to submit proposals. Visit the website https://www.iscm2020.nz/conference for further information and the submission process.