Choral Competition [DEADLINE PASSED!] View Submissions Thread

Count me in. I'd like to submit something.

What do we get if we win? A performance? Do you know a choir that would be willing?

haha, that would be soooo cool. I've only had one song performed, and it was really wierd. It sounds so much differant on the computer and the piano.

Also, just a little update: I'm on page 2 so far (4 parts, words and music) of the piece I started today (when I last posted). This is kind of cool, I actually have something to motivate me this time

OK, let me enter this one. I know I'm not too talented musically, but with such simple rules and context, I cant simply pass an opportunity like this up.

i'm kind of torn as to whether to enter as a composer or a contestant, but i have one question:

i wrote a piece once for choir with trumpet and snare drum accompaniment... is that ok? (i've written lots of stuff for choir, but that's the only one i consider worthy of a competition setting)

if that piece would be alright, sign me up as a composer, if not, i'd love to be a judge!

I'm sorry, although there are few rules, the keyboard-only rule for accompaniment is one of the stronger ones, although we could let the community decide if they'd like. I'll put you down as a judge for now.

Also, as some people have been asking about the nature of some of the specifications I have put forth about this competition, I will clear a couple of things up:

If you so desire, you may enter a piece that either has made-up words, nonsense words, or just syllables and consonants, or random words, whatever. But in doing so, you still accept full responsibility for your piece. Also, the judges may have a harder time valuing the piece as much as a piece that uses extensive text, so make it work! I originally put the specifications like they are because I have seen composers use plain syllables or nonsense words to good effect. This is not recommended to use if you just don't want to work with a text, however.

The bottomline is that the rules I have set up are extremely flexible. If you send the judges a piece, they will judge it.

Yes but what about PERFORMANCE?

Who says there'll be one?

I haven't read all the posts, but I have a few questions:

1) May I use unaccompanied voices?
2) May I use orchestral accompaniment instead of keyboard. It's far easier for me to write for orchestra than piano.
3) If I have a nearly completed choral work, must I submit ANOTHER new piece for the competition?
4) Is there an opportunity to have these pieces performed? I will suggest that if anyone chooses to write a solo for piano and baritone soloist, I will gladly perform it.

Also, seeing as I am a well trained vocalist, I would be remissed to not be a judge for this competition, but I'd also like to compete (tricky tricky). But I only have Finale 2006. Is the Scorch plug-in available some place where I can get it (I assume this is for Sibelius files)?

"4) Is there an opportunity to have these pieces performed? I will suggest that if anyone chooses to write a solo for piano and baritone soloist, I will gladly perform it."

Hrmhrm hrm.... very interesting....
(just btw, what is your range? i.e. where would i write to make the piece most singable / best sounding for you .......... still just wondering)

"The work MAY be accompanied by a keyboard (piano, synthesizer, organ, celeste, etc.) or harp" according to the original limitations section, you dont have to, but you can. I personally could care less how someone accompanies their piece, so long as the focus is on the choir and it is judged based on the voices, not the insraments accompaning. I would imagine it would make judging a little more difficult if one had a full orchastra in the backround though.

I'm starting from scratch with my song, but I'm not sure if you can submit songs you've previously written (or mostly previously written). I'm kind of curious about that too.

This is a shout out to all college students in choir: Ask your professor if your choir could do the song. There arent many professional choirs that would be willing to premere an original song by some nobody, but a college professor might see it as a way to save money. Its worth a shot, and I'm sure the winner would love to get his or her piece performed.