January 2008 Monthly Competition

Alright... it is time for the FIRST NEW MONTHLY COMPETITION!!! The theme will be... well, theme and variation! Now, to clear this up, you WILL be making your own theme, but there will be parameters, as said below:

The Rules:

* You must write a piece for a (MAXIMUM) 6 staff orchestra (12 voices maximum, or two voices to a staff at most... unless it is a keyboard instrument!) using a theme that has been created by YOU OR TAKEN FROM AN EXISTING WORK!!

* 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.)

* The alternative is the submission of a compressed .mp3 file with link, however, you must provide a score so that we may see the notes.

* Include information about piece in submission: Name of Piece and Instrumentation are required, however you may include anything else.

* The 6 staff orchestra means on a piece of paper, there may be SIX staffs on the page; if there are any inquiries, please post and I will try to clarify. This is to make it so that people can use string orchestras, and brass quintets, and anything to their desire, without it turning into a full-fledge orchestra piece.

* When you submit the composition, you must show what techniques each of the variations used (yes, that means you need to think of techniques to use when making the variation, don't just slap it on the page! GRR!! PLAN PEOPLE PLAN!!)

* You must compose an original piece. You may have help from people (obviously I cannot stop that), but please be honest, I like FAIR competitions.

* Post submissions in the submissions thread (created on Jan. 12, 2008)

*NEW RULE: There must be at LEAST 4 different Variations (in addition to the theme)

* DO NOT use a piece that is ALREADY WRITTEN (BY YOU OR SOMEBODY ELSE!! GRR)

Entry to CONTEST deadline is January 9th, 2008.

Entry PIECE thread will be open by the 15th.

This Competition will close on January 31, 2008.

If this interests you, and you want to participate, please post below, and I will add you to the list of participants.

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES FOR PARTICIPATION HERE: SUBMISSIONS (judges and participants!)

JUDGES: (I only want five, sorry I take one!)

1. Morivou

2. XxCransworthxX

3. IHoldThePenHaHa

4. jujimufu

PARTICIPANTS:

1. CONTESTANT DROP

2. Verdi_Lver

3. EnigmusJ4

4. Saiming

5. CONTESTANT DROP

6. virtualshock

7. Dev

8. oingo86

9. amadeus2726686

10. CONTESTANT DROP

11. pricewalden

12. P.J. Meiser

13. M_is_D

14. FPSchubertII

15. Bob_the_Sane

16. Smartyy

Have fun! :D

Count me in for sure.

Can I do a string sextet?

Count me in for sure.

Can I do a string sextet?

Yeah, you may!!! Entry Accepted.

...it has to be 6 instruments :huh:? I thought it was a maximum of 6.

Anyway, count me in.

...it has to be 6 instruments :huh:? I thought it was a maximum of 6.

Anyway, count me in.

SORRY... I knew I forgot something. It is maximum. Entry Accepted.

Can I be a judge? I can be pretty hard sometimes, but I can go a little easy. Sometimes it's good to have a hard judge.

Can I be a judge? I can be pretty hard sometimes, but I can go a little easy. Sometimes it's good to have a hard judge.

Absolutely! Entry Accepted.

Yay! Great way to start off the new year, I guess...

You have to list the techniques? As in say, key change, different instrumentation, tempo difference? Or like, canon, fugue, etc.?

I'm interested. :)

If I write two instruments on one stave (I.E. Two flutes, two trumpets, ect.), is that acceptable?

The guidelines don't mention anything like that specifically.

No minimum length?

Anyway, I think I'm in. Although there might be a chance of me dropping out :laugh:

Alright, the New Year's Competition is going nowhere, so I guess I'll ask if I can be a judge here?

You have to list the techniques? As in say, key change, different instrumentation, tempo difference? Or like, canon, fugue, etc.?

Exactly!

I'm interested. :)

If I write two instruments on one stave (I.E. Two flutes, two trumpets, ect.), is that acceptable?

The guidelines don't mention anything like that specifically.

Yup, you may do so!

No minimum length?

Anyway, I think I'm in. Although there might be a chance of me dropping out :laugh:

Nope, no minimum Length! However, know that if you have a piece that is too short, it won't win!

(Thx to whoever melded my posts!)

Mori, saying that to James you've just made it theoretically possible to write a piece for a very large ensemble, just with a rather messy score ;)

I am most certainly in. Is there any specified length or number of variations? Or length of variations?

Mori, saying that to James you've just made it theoretically possible to write a piece for a very large ensemble, just with a rather messy score ;)

Don't worry, I usually keep very tidy scores, nothing too cramped. ;)

Mori, saying that to James you've just made it theoretically possible to write a piece for a very large ensemble, just with a rather messy score ;)

I am most certainly in. Is there any specified length or number of variations? Or length of variations?

At least 4 Variations, I've added it to the rules.

I was just pointing out that concievably, although it's only 6 staves, you could get about 20 instruments on there. It just wouldn't look too good ;)

I've spoken to Mori, and we're allowed variations on an unoriginal theme :w00t:!

I was just pointing out that concievably, although it's only 6 staves, you could get about 20 instruments on there. It just wouldn't look too good ;)

HA! You COULD, but then it wouldn't be properly orchestrated, we will be looking for that~! :)

I won't take liking to a messy score. I'm the kind of guy who actually looks at score to find ways to make them neat and clean. I think that you should try to keep it to a minimum of 2 parts (not included chords) per staff. Basically, 12 parts at the most. I would just think that it would be more effective and cleaner.

I am in!

For now, I'm in too

Cool, I am probably gonna close registration about the 8th of January, and probably open the submissions around the 15th of Jan. You must turn the pieces in by the 30th, or 31st... whichever it is!

AND, I NEED TWO MORE JUDGES!!!!!!

Just to clarify more: Even though a string orchestra usually only uses 5 staves, it can contain around 30-60 players. Is this ok, or do you mean really chamber chamber?

I will enter, although I have to write an opera this month so I'm not 100% sure I'll have anything for you in the end! Is this ok?

May I ask how you have decided the judging will be done?

Can I be a judge? I have loads of work to do right now so I don't have time to spend to write the piece, but I'd love to see what other people have written and give feedback. So? :P