Scholastic Composer Competition Rules
Competition open to any pupil in grades K-12 who resides in or are enrolled in the public, private, parochial, charter or home schools in Summit County and the surrounding area.
WHO MAY ENTER?
Individual: Any pupil in grades Kindergarten through grade Twelve who resides in or is enrolled in the public, private, parochial or home schools in Summit County and the surrounding area.
Group: Any two or more pupils in grades Kindergarten through Twelve may submit a composition.
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC MAY BE ENTERED?
DO THE LYRICS HAVE TO BE ORIGINAL? No.
ORIGINALITY: The contestant may be advised in matters of notation, the use of performance indications (“Suddenly,” “Quickly,” “Allegro,” etc.), tempo markings (quarter note = , etc.), articulations, etc. The contestant must NOT be advised, influenced, or coached in any way regarding the composition of melodic ideas/construction, harmonies (voicings, progressions, specific chord types, etc.), formal construction (sonata form, rondo, etc), or other such musical means that would suggest the submission is not the original creative work of the contestant. Any indication(s) that the originality of the submission is not the authentic work of the contestant may disqualify the submission.
WHAT FORM/STYLE MAY BE USED? Any form may be used, from a single word melody or song to the more advanced musical forms such as the sonata-allegro, concerto, etc. Any style is appropriate.
HOW LONG CAN THE COMPOSITION BE? Compositions may be any number of measures needed to express the intent of the composer. (A long composition is not necessarily a good one). The committee reserves the right to limit the performance time at the Premiere Performance.
WHAT TYPE OF MANUSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED?
Manuscripts must be submitted on a sheet of 9, 10, or 12 stave paper with the exception of band and orchestra measure paper or computer generated manuscripts. Submit the entire page regardless of the length of the composition.
A. Grades K-3: Composers who wish to submit a manuscript in their own writing may use pencil. This applies to classroom groups as well as individuals.
B. Grades 4-12: All manuscripts must be written in ink or computer-generated by the composer. In the case of group compositions, they must be written by one selected individual from the group.
C. Grades K-12:
TO WHOM SHOULD THE COMPOSITIONS BE SUBMITTED?
Children’s Concert Society, E. J. Thomas Hall, Akron, OH 44325-0501 or online at www.childrensconcertsociety.org
WHO WILL JUDGE THESE COMPOSITIONS?
Entries will be judged by a panel of judges from the University of Akron, School of Music, Composition Department.
WHAT AWARDS ARE BEING OFFERED?
Certificates of award will be given to 1st place winners. Only one certificate will be given for winning class compositions. Any student who has won a first place in two previous contests shall, if nominated to win a third time, receive a permanent award. A repeat winner will receive a bar for his or her plaque denoting each year of winning an award.
WILL THERE BE RECOGNITION?
Yes! First-Place compositions will be recognized and performed at the Premiere Performance. ALL FIRST-PLACE WINNERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND AND PERFORM THEIR COMPOSITIONS AS WRITTEN. All performances must be live. Exceptions to this must be cleared by the Scholastic Composers Contest committee (330-972-2504). Any electronic pieces must have at least one acoustic instrument that would be performed live in conjunction with the CD or tape. Ribbons for second, third and honorable mention winners will accompany the returned compositions. Every composer will receive a ribbon except for classes. A class will receive one ribbon. A special award, the Ralph Gillman Award, is selected by the judges from the first-place winners.
If your composition requires a piano accompanist you are responsible for your own accompanist.
THE OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK must be attached to the composition and signed by the music teacher.
All scores (compositions) become property of the Contest Committee until returned to owners.
The committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not conform to the rules of the Contest. Composers will be notified of disqualification prior to the Premiere Performance.
Scholastic Composer Committee members whose children are entered in the contest are ineligible to serve on the Scholarship Award Committee.
WHO MAY ENTER?
Individual: Any pupil in grades Kindergarten through grade Twelve who resides in or is enrolled in the public, private, parochial or home schools in Summit County and the surrounding area.
Group: Any two or more pupils in grades Kindergarten through Twelve may submit a composition.
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC MAY BE ENTERED?
- Grades Kindergarten through Eight–Compositions may be for: individual instrumental, group instrumental, individual vocal, group vocal, piano and electronic media (must submit a schematic plan as well as a tape.)
- Grades Nine through Twelve–Compositions may be for: vocal solo, small vocal ensemble, instrumental solo, piano solo, small instrumental ensemble and electronic media (must submit a schematic plan as well as a tape.) ALL COMPOSITIONS MUST INCLUDE CD OR ELECTRONIC AUDIO FILE.
- Special Education Children–Teacher should determine the grade level at which the compositions should be judged and enter them at those levels.
- A COMPOSITION CAN BE ENTERED INTO ONLY ONE CATEGORY.
- This contest is for original compositions only. Arrangements will not be accepted.
DO THE LYRICS HAVE TO BE ORIGINAL? No.
ORIGINALITY: The contestant may be advised in matters of notation, the use of performance indications (“Suddenly,” “Quickly,” “Allegro,” etc.), tempo markings (quarter note = , etc.), articulations, etc. The contestant must NOT be advised, influenced, or coached in any way regarding the composition of melodic ideas/construction, harmonies (voicings, progressions, specific chord types, etc.), formal construction (sonata form, rondo, etc), or other such musical means that would suggest the submission is not the original creative work of the contestant. Any indication(s) that the originality of the submission is not the authentic work of the contestant may disqualify the submission.
WHAT FORM/STYLE MAY BE USED? Any form may be used, from a single word melody or song to the more advanced musical forms such as the sonata-allegro, concerto, etc. Any style is appropriate.
HOW LONG CAN THE COMPOSITION BE? Compositions may be any number of measures needed to express the intent of the composer. (A long composition is not necessarily a good one). The committee reserves the right to limit the performance time at the Premiere Performance.
WHAT TYPE OF MANUSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED?
Manuscripts must be submitted on a sheet of 9, 10, or 12 stave paper with the exception of band and orchestra measure paper or computer generated manuscripts. Submit the entire page regardless of the length of the composition.
A. Grades K-3: Composers who wish to submit a manuscript in their own writing may use pencil. This applies to classroom groups as well as individuals.
B. Grades 4-12: All manuscripts must be written in ink or computer-generated by the composer. In the case of group compositions, they must be written by one selected individual from the group.
C. Grades K-12:
- All manuscripts must be accompanied by the official entry applications which are included with these rules.
- Names must NOT appear on the manuscript.
- All compositions will be returned to the entrant.
- Copies may be accepted if readable (clear and crisp).
- CD or tape must be submitted for all Senior Level entries as noted in 2B above.
TO WHOM SHOULD THE COMPOSITIONS BE SUBMITTED?
Children’s Concert Society, E. J. Thomas Hall, Akron, OH 44325-0501 or online at www.childrensconcertsociety.org
WHO WILL JUDGE THESE COMPOSITIONS?
Entries will be judged by a panel of judges from the University of Akron, School of Music, Composition Department.
WHAT AWARDS ARE BEING OFFERED?
Certificates of award will be given to 1st place winners. Only one certificate will be given for winning class compositions. Any student who has won a first place in two previous contests shall, if nominated to win a third time, receive a permanent award. A repeat winner will receive a bar for his or her plaque denoting each year of winning an award.
WILL THERE BE RECOGNITION?
Yes! First-Place compositions will be recognized and performed at the Premiere Performance. ALL FIRST-PLACE WINNERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND AND PERFORM THEIR COMPOSITIONS AS WRITTEN. All performances must be live. Exceptions to this must be cleared by the Scholastic Composers Contest committee (330-972-2504). Any electronic pieces must have at least one acoustic instrument that would be performed live in conjunction with the CD or tape. Ribbons for second, third and honorable mention winners will accompany the returned compositions. Every composer will receive a ribbon except for classes. A class will receive one ribbon. A special award, the Ralph Gillman Award, is selected by the judges from the first-place winners.
If your composition requires a piano accompanist you are responsible for your own accompanist.
THE OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK must be attached to the composition and signed by the music teacher.
All scores (compositions) become property of the Contest Committee until returned to owners.
The committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not conform to the rules of the Contest. Composers will be notified of disqualification prior to the Premiere Performance.
Scholastic Composer Committee members whose children are entered in the contest are ineligible to serve on the Scholarship Award Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can home school children participate?
Any pupil in grades Kindergarten through grade Twelve who resides in or is enrolled in the public, private, parochial, charter or home schools in Summit County and the surrounding area. Do compositions have to be original?
Yes! This contest is for original compositions only. Arrangements will not be accepted. Who will be judging?
Entries will be judged by a panel of judges from the University of Akron, School of Music, Composition Department. Are there performance opportunities?
Yes, First-Place compositions will be recognized and performed at the Premiere Performance. |
