Application forms and further details for all spnm opportunities are available from
spnm, 4th Floor, 18-20 Southwark St, London SE1 1TJ
Tel. • Fax • Email

spnm works with British composers and composers resident in the UK. Unfortunately our opportunities are not open to composers from elsewhere.



opportunities introduction

general guidelines for
score & parts preparation

Go for it!

Below are several opportunities which might stimulate some composers to experiment in areas in which you might not ordinarily work. So sharpen your set of 2B pencils.

 



 

spnm Call for Works

for spnm’s 61st Artistic Season 2003/04

Submissions are invited for works written in any style. Scores and/or recordings may be submitted by composers of any age and nationality living in the UK or Ireland, or British composers living abroad. Works by shortlisted composers will form the basis of spnm’s activity throughout the UK in 2003/04, under Artistic Director Deirdre Gribbin. Shortlisted composers will also be promoted on the spnm web site, and in print publications.

All submissions must be accompanied by an application form. To receive a form please contact us at spnm, 18–20 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TJ, tel , email

The closing date for submissions is 10 January 2003


ensemble eleven Young Composers Competition

The competition is open to composers aged 30 and younger. You can submit a work not exceeding 15 minutes in length for any combinations of the following instruments: flute (alto and piccolo), clarinet (saxophones and bass clarinet), trumpet, violin, viola, cello, double bass (bass guitar), piano, guitar (classical and electric), percussion (one player).

The entry fee is £15. The deadline for entering your score is 1 June 2003.

This year we are offering to workshop your piece with the ensemble and prominent composers. The workshop will be recorded and edited. Six pieces will be chosen from the submitted scores and the winner will be chosen from a panel of independent judges. The winner will receive a commission by the ensemble.

For an application form, email or write to: ensemble 11, 28 Yew Street, Manchester M15 5YW. www.ensemble11.co.uk


Time Play

Co-ordinated by the Sonic Arts Network in the UK, and the Canadian Electroacoustic Community in Canada, the competition is aimed at creators of electronic music and sonic art – whether this be electroacoustic composition or other forms that demonstrate the art of organising sound events in time. Our intention is to provide an opportunity for artists to get their work heard and, through a panel of internationally acclaimed composers and artists, to draw comment, feedback and support.

Each submission is awarded marks by our panel and the top 5 UK entries will be awarded prizes. All 5 will receive performances of their work in Montreal and London, the first and second placed will actually travel to Montreal to give a performance of their work plus prize money of £100 and £70 respectively. The top 10 UK entries will feature on a joint SAN/CEC CD distributed freely across the globe.

You have until May 2003 to create and deliver your work on CD to us. Prizes will be awarded in July 2003 with performances in the UK and Canada in the autumn and winter. Visit www.sonicartsnetwork.org for full submission details.


Tango Volcano

Tango Volcano = quintet of violin, bandoneon, piano, guitar (electric / acoustic) and double bass. We can amp up partially or wholly. Check us out on www.tangovolcano.com (sound bites / photographs / info / plus details of how to write for bandoneon)

Would you like to write us a TANGO? We're looking to expand our repertoire, create a new pool of contemporary British Tango. 3-7 mins music. Genre: dance / concert / pastiche / arrangement. Choose your tempo / style from these types of tango: Tango (slowish 4/4); Milonga (lively 2/4); Tango waltz (quickish 3/4). Have a listen, watch a dance, remember a film, taste an Argentinian red... & get inspired!

If you are interested contact Lucy Waterhouse on , Lucy Hare on or email:

Deadline for submissions is 1 April 2003. No fees BUT every opportunity for performance and possible recording Summer 2003.


RPS Composition Prize

Two commissions will be awarded: £5000 to write for The London Sinfonietta; £3000 to write a chamber work for the Cheltenham Festival.

Composers under 29 who are studying or have studied at a UK conservatoire or university are eligible to enter a portfolio of three existing pieces. Entries must be accompanied by a completed application form.

Closing date for entries: 31 March 2003
Application forms from: www.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk or The Royal Philharmonic Society, 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1BA
Telephone , Fax
Email

Supported by David Bowerman, The Delius Trust and the RVW Trust


The Music & Psyche Network Easter Conference

Saturday 12 April 2003, Trinity College of Music, London

Bringing together musicians - singers - teachers - composers - music therapists - sound healers - and all who want to make music from the heart

Sessions: Jonathan Harvey ~ Maxwell Steer ~ Sarah Verney Caird (Nordoff-Robbins) Michæl Deason-Barrow (Tonalis)

opportunities for networking & all kinds of music-making
Early booking discount: musicpsyche.org / 01747 870070


ACE / AHRB
Arts and Science
Research Fellowships

The Arts Council for England (ACE) and the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) will be announcing shortly a new jointly-funded Research Fellowships programme.

The focus of this initiative will be to support collaborative work between artists – working within any area of the creative and performing arts (visual arts, music and performing arts, creative writing) – and scientists, working in any discipline. It is intended that the partnerships supported through the programme will provide opportunities for a cross-fertilisation of ideas and practices that will be enriching for all involved.

The Fellowship must be based within a Higher Education Institution (HEI) directly funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Applications can be made by individual artist researchers with the support of a host HEI, or by HEIs with a named artist researcher in mind.

Awards will be available up to £28,000 to support Fellowships lasting from 6 to 12 months, which can be undertaken on a part- or full-time basis. The closing date for applications will be 28 February 2003, with awards announced by the following June.

Application forms are available from the AHRB's and ACE's websites: www.artscouncil.org.uk and www.ahrb.ac.uk


PRS Foundation and
Bliss Trust
New Funding Scheme

The Bliss Trust and PRS Foundation (PRSF) have launched a new funding scheme to support emerging composers.

The scheme is aimed at composers seeking funds to assist their professional development in the field of classical music. Funds (up to a maximum of £500 per application) will be offered for the support of promotional recordings, travel, study at a summer school or computer equipment.

For further details about the scheme, including application forms, procedures and criteria for applying, please visit the PRS Foundation website at www.prsf.co.uk or call the PRS Foundation Administrator on 020 7306 4044.


Masterprize 2003

Registration for the third Masterprize, the international competition for composition of symphonic works, is now open. Composers of any age and nationality are invited to submit short works for symphony orchestra of between 6 and 15 minutes. This marks the start of a cycle of selection, international broadcasts and recordings, culminating with the gala final at London’s Barbican Hall on 30 October 2003. The winner receives a cash prize of £30,000.

With the aims of encouraging classical music lovers to listen more to new music, and helping living composers find a large international audience, Masterprize achieves vast international exposure for its finalist pieces. It acheives this through a powerful combination of a network of radio stations with a listenership of well over 20 million, covermount CDs with a circulation of over 110,000, and a gala final performance by the LSO broadcast internationally.

For the third competition Masterprize has received a major boost, as renowned conductor Mariss Jansons has accepted the post of Artistic Adviser of Masterprize. He takes the primary responsibility for over-seeing the jury selection and determining the criteria for judging entries.

Eligibility
There are no age or geographical restrictions on entry. If a professional orchestra has performed the work, it will only be eligible if this performance took place after 31st December 1997. Works will be ineligible if they have been entered for previous Masterprize competitions. Works should be scores for normal symphonic forces with a max of 90 and a min of 50 players. Orchestration can be enlarged by one additional instrument or one doubling. The work should not incorporate voice and should feature the orchestras as a whole and not solo instruments in a concerto-style form.

For a copy of the rules and entry form please see www.masterprize.com or contact the Masterprize office on , email

Entrants must submit a recording of their work with their score. This may be a recording of a full-length performance or of excerpts, and may take the form of a full-orchestral performance or partial version. There is no entry fee.

Works and recordings must be submitted to Masterprize and postmarked no later than 20 December 2002


ISCM World Music Days 2004 - Switzerland
Call for works and programming ideas

Composers are invited to submit works for the 2004 World Music Days, to be held in Switzerland from 3 to 12 November. As a country founded on the coexistence of four different linguistic regions, Switzerland offers an ideal venue for examining the idea of exchange. The title of the festival will be "Trans-it", which loosely stands for a decentralized concept – the idea of travelling from place to place on a "sound train", but may be interpreted in various ways.

The organisers would like WMD 2004 to be more than a mere platform for new works from all over the world. They therefore ask "every submission to be accompanied by an explanation of the connection between the work and the festival theme". They are also inviting applicants to make "programming suggestions (for example as to type of performing venue, but also ideas for meaningful complements to / confrontations with their own work) and suggestions for new ways of bringing music to audiences".

As with previous festivals, the organisers will try to present at least one work from each member country of the ISCM, so a maximum duration of 15 minutes is recommended.

All categories of music will be given equal consideration, including orchestral music; chamber music; works for symphonic wind orchestra; choral music; electronic and computer music; cross-media projects.

British Jury: The jury of the British Section of the ISCM will recommend a maximum of six works to the International Jury. You can submit to the British Jury free of charge. Deadline: 15 January 2003.

International Jury: It is also possible to submit your music direct to the international jury, along with an application form and entry fee of EUR50. Deadline: 28 Februruary 2003.

For application forms, please send an sae marked "ICSM Call" to the ISCM British Section, c/o spnm, 18-20 Southwark St, London SE1 1TJ.


Kettle's Yard New Music Fellowship

Kettle’s Yard and Corpus Christi College, in the University of Cambridge wish to appoint a New Music Fellow for the academic year 2003-2004, with the possibility of extension for a second year.

Applications are invited from composers and composer/musicians in early-mid career who have already established their professional practice. The Fellow will receive accommodation and meals in College and a stipend of £15,000.

The deadline for applications is 31 December 2002

For details please send a SAE to New Music Fellowship, Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 OAQ


William Mathias Composition Prize 2003

In memory of one of Wales’ most celebrated composers, the William Mathias Composition Prize 2003 (WMCP) encourages work by promising composers from Wales and the rest of Britain, and gives the opportunity to be featured in one of the most significant music festivals in Wales.

This year, the prize will be presented for a piece of music written for either solo harpsichord or harpsichord and tape. The prize consists of £250, and selected entries will also feature in a workshop, with the winning work being professionally performed by celebrated harpsichordist Jane Chapman in a concert on Saturday 12 April 2003, during the Bangor New Music Festival at Powis Hall, University of Wales, Bangor.

Closing date for entries: 17 January 2003

For further enquiries and entry guidelines please contact: The William Mathias Composition Prize 2003, Bangor New Music Festival Administrator, c/o The School of Music, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, tel: 01248 382181


2003 Double Bass Composition Contest

The third British & International Bass Forum composition contest is open to composers of any age or nationality. Works should be unpublished, but may have been performed previously; music for 4-stringed basses and using standard tunings are preferred. Works of any duration written in any style are invited in the following three categories:

1. A work for unaccompanied double bass (1st prize: £200; 2nd prize: £100)
2. A work for two or more double basses (1st prize: £200; 2nd prize: £100)
3. A work for solo double bass and any other combination of instruments (2 prizes of £100 each)

Winning entries from each category may be published by Recital Music, subject to contract and agreement. Winning entries from categories 1 and 2 will be performed at Bass-Fest 2004, as part of the BIBF's 10th birthday celebrations.

Closing date: 1 July 2003

For full details please contact BIBF, PO Box 151, Aldershot, Hants GU12 7YQ. Email


Genesis Opera Project

Seeking the new generation of opera and music theatre makers
Commissioning, development and production opportunities

The Genesis Opera Project is an international commissioning scheme, seeking original, inventive and skilled work in new opera and music theatre that speaks to a wide audience. The project is open to composers aged 35 years and under and their collaborators. Genesis is looking for both composer-led projects and those that have been initiated by writers, directors or other members of a creative team.

Six projects will be shortlisted and given development funding leading to a workshop presentation in 2004. Three of the projects will be chosen for full production in London and elsewhere in 2005 with further commission fees payable.

Deadline for applications: 14 April 2003

Application forms and full guidelines are available from 30 October at : www.genesisfoundation.org.uk (also available in French, German, Italian and Spanish)
Or email us at:

Or write to: The Administrator, Genesis Opera Project, Genesis Foundation, PO Box 32815, London, N1 1GE, UK


The Wallace Ensemble Composition Prize

Sponsored by Pearson plc

A prize of £500 is offered for a new work for chamber orchestra, to be performed by the Ensemble in Spring 2003. Open to British composers under the age of 35
(or those studying in the UK)

Deadline for entries: 31 January 2003

For further details e-mail
or see www.wallaceensemble.org


sound inventors -
putting music together

Assistant Composers
Sound Inventors is looking for Assistant Composers to take part in composition and song-writing projects for young people aged 8 to 18 in the following areas: Manchester, Staffordshire, County Durham and Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton, Slough, Cornwall.

You must be available for 11 project days between January and April 2003. A fee is payable to composers participating in this exciting programme of work.

If you are interested in applying for these positions then please contact the sound inventors office for more information on , email

Deadline for receipt of applications to the spnm offices is 23 December 2002. Interviews will take place early in the New Year.

Sound Inventors is a Youth Music initiative, devised and delivered by spnm with partnership funds from the PRS Foundation


Calling all Composers in East Lindsey

The London Mozart Players and composer Lynne Plowman invite amateur or professional composers of any age from the East Lindsey District Council area to write a piece lasting a maximum of five minutes. Works have to be written for any two or more players from the instrumentation of the Schubert Octet. Selected works will be workshopped by musicians of the LMP in East Lindsey next March.

Interested composers can hear more about the project on 16 October, when the LMP will be rehearsing for the world premiere of Lynne's piece The Stargazer in the Riverhead Theatre, Louth. Anyone who wants to take part in the project can come along to hear the piece and talk to Lynne.

Works must be submitted by 1 February 2003.

The LMP and Lynne Plowman will workshop as many compositions as possible in the Riverhead Theatre, Louth on 20 March 2003. Composers who want to take part in the project should contact Ceri Hunter on 020 8686 1996.


London Chamber Group
Piece of the Year Competition


Composers from all countries, with no age or other restrictions, are invited to send the London Chamber Group entries for its Piece Of The Year Competition, 2003. This competition is supported by Making Music with funds provided by London Arts.
One piece per composer may be entered in the competition. Towards the end of 2003 we will choose an overall ‘Best Piece’, and a ‘Best Piece’ for each type of ensemble. Winners will be sent a certificate of their success. There is no financial prize.

Deadline: 31 January 2003

We are a network of amateur ensembles playing contemporary chamber music. Entries must be technically accessible to amateur players, and "contemporary" in their style: we won’t try to define that, but it does not include music written in imitation of the styles of previous ages.

Register your interest now, and we will send you details of the instrumentation of the ensembles for which entries will be accepted. Contact; Alan Taylor, , tel


International Composition Prize - Luxembourg 2003

The Luxembourg Society for Contemporary Music announces its second International Composition Prize for the year 2003. Composers of any age or nationality are invited to present new compositions for the whole ensemble of the Luxembourg Sinfonietta: cl, bass cl, sop sax, alto sax, ten sax, horn, tuba, 2 vln, 1 vla, 1 vc, 1 piano accordion. The following instruments may also be used: piano, mandolin, 1 percussion player (marimba, vib, glock, 3 tom-toms, 2 sus cym, bass drum).

Three prizes will be awarded, of 3,000, 2,000 and 1,000 euros. The prize-winning works will be recorded and published on CD.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. Compositions must not have been performed previously nor awarded a prize. The duration must be between 10 and 15 minutes. Three copies of the score must be submitted; they must be anonymous and carry a code word, and a sealed envelope with the code word must accompany the scores and contain the composer's name, address, photo, biography, and a copy of the passport.

Deadline for entries: 15 January 2003.

Works should be sent to: Luxembourg Sinfonietta, B.P. 828, L-2018 Luxembourg. For more information contact the Luxembourg Sinfonietta: tel , fax ,


 
   

Chamber Music Repertoire for Amateur Players
- a Guide to Choosing Works Matching Players' Abilities.

By Harold Haynes. First published in 1994 and updated and enlarged every 2 years. This is a non-profit making book distributed world-wide, intended for children, amateur players and teachers of Chamber Music. Harold is interested in Chamber works or compositions that have 2 to 8 players, strings alone or strings with piano and/or wind. He will need to see a copy of the score or hear a recording of the piece before it will be included in the book.

Contact Harold Haynes directly at 9 Caxton Lane, Foxton, Cambridge, CB2 6SR.

 
   
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Check regularly for new opportunities!