February/March 2008 Monthly Competition Rules/Signup Thread

Enigmus is right about that. A competition shouldn't be limiting the composers to what the judges' software can or cannot play. As long as the composers know what those effects sound like, and the judges as well (or they should, anyway), then they should be acceptable, even if the software can't play them back. The only thing you can get out of a midi anyway is a basic feeling of harmony, it doesn't have anything to do with real sound, real dynamics, real tempi, real accents, real silences or reality at all. In midi I could have a flute player change into a piccolo in 1/3rd of a second, but in real life that can't happen.

So, I believe the players should be free to use any kind of notation they want, as long as it is publishable in PDF (either scanned or printed from a notational program in a PDF file).

Also, maybe for the conveniency of the judges (if you want to), we can ask for the composers to describe the effects of any notation that can't be played back properly on finale, because if they can't describe it, then there's little point in using it That would make it more challenging

Originally Posted by jujimufu

Enigmus is right about that. A competition shouldn't be limiting the composers to what the judges' software can or cannot play. As long as the composers know what those effects sound like, and the judges as well (or they should, anyway), then they should be acceptable, even if the software can't play them back. The only thing you can get out of a midi anyway is a basic feeling of harmony, it doesn't have anything to do with real sound, real dynamics, real tempi, real accents, real silences or reality at all. In midi I could have a flute player change into a piccolo in 1/3rd of a second, but in real life that can't happen.

So, I believe the players should be free to use any kind of notation they want, as long as it is publishable in PDF (either scanned or printed from a notational program in a PDF file).

Also, maybe for the conveniency of the judges (if you want to), we can ask for the composers to describe the effects of any notation that can't be played back properly on finale, because if they can't describe it, then there's little point in using it That would make it more challenging

Alright Juji, if you say it can be done... I will change the rules. Hold on...

* The piece must be normal notation, in other words the judge's notation software must be able to play it, please submit in midi format (you may also include a .pdf score for easy to read variations and score notes like dynamics and such.)
* AMENDMENT TO THE ABOVE RULE: If in the case notation is not normal and cannot be played by a composing software (such as in between pitch notes, pitch bends, tongue flutter, String Harmonics (but I think this can be done)), you will be allowed to use it provided: You submit a PDF of the piece, an explanation of ANY non-notation standard techniques employed, and an MP3 of the piece. If this is not followed and you submit the piece and any of the judges cannot play it, we shall notify you and hopefully allow you to change it. In the event this happens after the deadline to submit the pieces, you will STILL be allowed to write the explanation of the devices used and submit an MP3 and PDF, but you will not be allowed to change the piece. That is ONLY if this is caught AFTER the deadline.

How's that?

That's great

I think that "You submit a PDF of the piece, an explanation of ANY non-notation standard techniques employed, and an MP3 of the piece." is a bit unclear, but if you change it to "non-standard notation" it will be fine

Plus, I think they can go away with the midi as well, if they explain anything that can't be performed in the midi file

I see about the unclearness of the statement, and I will change that, however I DO want the Mp3 file so that we can get the full effect. If there is an issue, it will be solved on a case to case basis.

I noticed that I am not under participants, which I don't really mind, you however may want to fix it

Oh, very sorry. it shall be reprimanded.

dont worry about it

I would like to sign up for the competition, if there's still a spot open and I'm allowed too

Hey, Morivou, I was wondering if it would be possible to add me as a judge to all the monthly competitions, unless I post and say I can't do a particular one, because I will mostly be able to do all of them

I'm new, but I'd like a try