Symphonic Wind Band Composition Competition
The Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band is pleased to announce its 2024 Composition Competition!
The competition is open to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) composers who live in the United States and its territories. We encourage LGBTQIA+ composers, especially from the New York City Area.
- Only one work per composer will be considered.
- Preference will be given to previously unperformed works.
- Works must be for full Symphonic Wind Band (see instrumentation below). Works with soloists, either instrumental or vocal, are not eligible. Works with electronics or chorus are not eligible.
The winning composition will be performed at a Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band concert at Peter Norton Symphony Space: 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Guidelines
An 8-10 minute programmatic work.
Instrumentation
- Piccolo, Flute 1/2, Oboe 1/2, Bassoon 1/2;
- E♭ Clarinet, B♭ Clarinet 1/2/3, B♭ Bass Clarinet, B♭ Contrabass Clarinet (optional);
- B♭ Soprano Saxophone (optional), E♭ Alto Saxophone 1/2, B♭ Tenor Saxophone, E♭ Baritone Saxophone;
- B♭ Trumpet 1/2/3, F Horn 1/2/3/4, Trombone 1/2/3, Euphonium, Tuba;
- Percussion – up to 12 players, including piano, tubular bells, and mallets (vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone, and crotales)
Preference will be given to compositions that utilize a large percussion section.
Submission
- Submit full score in PDF format.
- Submit recording (MIDI renditions accepted) in MP3 format.
- Please make up a pseudonym. Scores and recordings should be anonymous, with no identifying information other than your “Pseudonym”.
- Please label score and recording files [Pseudonym_score] & [Pseudonym_recording].
- Please submit a bio labeled: [QBAC Composition Competition_bio_“your full name”].
- Also submit a headshot labeled: [QBAC Composition Competition_headshot_“your full name”].
Submissions (score, recording, bio, and headshot) should be sent to: qbac.compositioncompetition@gmail.com
Only e-mail submissions will be accepted. Please do not send hard copies.
A panel made up of the Artistic Director, Assistant Conductor, and the Artistic Production Committee (made up of members of the band) will judge the submissions.
Prize money
$1000
There is no fee to enter.
Deadline to enter
Monday, December 2, 2024
Terms and Conditions
- Composer must reside in the United States or one if its territories and may be required to show proof of residency, if selected.
- Composition must be fully original and may not contain use of stock music, other sounds, other source materials or previously written or recorded music (whether by the composer or another source.)
- Adjustments/edits may be requested of winning composition to fit our ensemble’s unique set-up. The Artistic Director of the Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band will affirm when the winning piece is complete for our purposes.
- Composer agrees to allow the Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band to perform the winning composition in one future concert without paying additional royalties.
- The Queer Big Apple Corps may use the winning composer’s photo and bio in promotional materials.
- The Queer Big Apple Corps reserves the right to remove a composition from consideration and rescind an award for any reason at any time and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal.
- By submitting your work, you agree to these general rules and terms and conditions. You agree that failure to adhere to any of the general rules or terms and conditions may result in disqualification for which no refund or compensation is due.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Henco Espag, the Artistic Director of the Symphonic Band at hespag@qbac.org.