Choral Competition [DEADLINE PASSED!] View Submissions Thread

I'm doing Stanley Kunitz - they're all so multi-layered and amazing!

Letehn, 2 pianos should be fine. I pretty much want the composer to do whatever they think will make their piece better, as far as a representation of their chosen text.

To whoever suggested screaming in a piece, go ahead, knock yourself out!

Ok, well, heres the update on my piece. I'm coming in at about 1:30 so far (I'm shooting for 3:00 if I can do it, but 4:00 would be even better), and I'm hitting my climax right around there. So now the question is: Do I keep going and expand the ending? Do I leave it alone and just have the climax come a little early? Or do I add another section before the climax so it comes later? Dont answer these questions, as this is a competition, and I want to figure this stuff out on my own. I'm just giving you the update on what I'm trying to figure out, and what I've done so far.

I'd like to hear about how everyone elses pieces are coming along (if you've even started yet). If you dont mind sharing. I think it would be really cool to watch each others progress as this goes on.

:vomit:

Seriously? You don't like his vespers?

Pianoman, I intend to set the deadline for submissions far into the future, probably a couple of months. This is to ensure everyone has enough time to write the piece they wish to write, and are not forced to finish up something really quick, resulting in something they regret. So just letting you know that you needn't complete your work now, and that you're gonna have a whole lot of time to work on it between now and when it's due for submission.

But, if you're already done, you've got the edge on the competition!

Rachmaninoff is seriously not my taste (not right now anyway). The colors and textures don't really do it for me. I have an open mind, but at the risk of sounding ignorant, it just isn't beautiful enough, yet unjustly overplayed, compared to, say, my BELOVED Stravinsky. And if I have to hear one more 12 year old Asian pianist chop arrogantly through another Rachmaninoff concerto, I will be forced to spoon my eyes out. The music seems maudlin, and favors virtuosity over grace. I think some [not so versed musically] people only like him because they like to say his long name out loud (j/k). Just my opinion.

Thanks for the info Nick. I figured the deadline would be pretty far out, I just decided to get a jump on my piece. I usually write several drafts (I've written up to 22), and I'm currently working on draft 1. I like to finish every piece I do early, then let it sit. When stuff pops out at me to change, I change it.

I love Rachmaninoff's piano pieces, I havent listened to many of his other works. I think what started me on his piano works was probably the movie "1900". They are very challenging pieces that go against common tonality, but still sound nearly perfect.

I'm seriously considering having some serious pitch slides in my thing. Of course, I need a text first. The main problem with slides is that GPO doesn't have choral patches and MIDI vocals are gonna be horrid. Maybe I can get a local choir to read it for me...

I'm seriously considering having some serious pitch slides in my thing. Of course, I need a text first. The main problem with slides is that GPO doesn't have choral patches and MIDI vocals are gonna be horrid. Maybe I can get a local choir to read it for me...

One option is to use a non-choral patch that has pitch slides. - I.e. String Quartet - or some instrument or group of instruments that most adequately realizes the articulations that best define the peice. You might even find something that is more appropriate than a choral patch. I can't speak for all of the judges, but I'm pretty confident that if you make decent choices, I will be able to hear the choral equivilent.

I have a few questions about the competition..

1. Can it be an piece for solo voice?

2. How many pieces can we enter?

3. When is the earliest time we can submit the music?

1. Can it be an piece for solo voice?

Yes.

2. How many pieces can we enter?

As many as you like, but as a courtesy to the judges, not too many please.

3. When is the earliest time we can submit the music?

Submissions will apparently be sent directly to the judges, so I suppose as soon as the email addresses are made available to you.