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Possibly, but I was thinking it could be a bit more open-ended than a strict theme-and-variations piece (which we did as a competition theme a few years ago, except in that one, everyone chose their own theme). Like composers could feel free to add themes of their own to the music, and use the provided melody / fragment as a starting point. @Ivan1791 also mentioned a competition based on the seasons. I can add that topic to the list, if there are no objections. I'm also with you on the question of the ensemble. I don't think it is a great idea in general to put specific restrictions on instrumentation for YC competitions. Some composers might feel more comfortable writing for solo piano or chamber ensemble than they would for a full orchestra, and for others, the opposite might be true. I think we could attract more entrants if we keep the instrumentation open-ended.

Hey, Well, I've been working for 2 years in a very heavy project for Choir and Orchestra, but is not ready yet 😋 so, I've been locked in my house due to the quarantine, just walking and sitting, and walk again and sit again, I haven't had much luck in my other work these past days, so yesterday just open an new file, and wrote a theme I found in piano that morning. This is the smallest orchestra I've used, also the shortest orchestral piece I own, it was only to kill the time you know... I must say is relaxing to write "normal music" from time to time, you don't have to be struggling with "thing nobody has written before".

Thanks for your guy's help on this.

A cry for help from hollywood

This makes sense to me, I hadn't considered that.

I will say that I think the orchestration idea may be better suited to the "Challenges" section of the site, rather than being the theme of a seasonal competition, since it's less subjective and more technical than pure original composition of new music. Like folks could just post pieces they think would be fun to orchestrate in the "Challenges" section and have people submit their efforts in the thread. Just my take on that, though

Quite like this one. The pleasant side of winter, glittery and just the right length. Clever instrumentation and a nice light rhythmic bounce. Well done.

I like this idea of a more "absolute" music theme. Maybe restrict the overall form of the piece (sonata, rondo, etc.). Another idea is to have an orchestration challenge. Start with a piano reduction or something that's in only a few staves, and have the competition be to expand to a larger ensemble. The instrumentation could be either defined, or up to the contestants.

There's also the idea of having everyone compose a piece based on the same short (or not so short) melody.

Are you tired of sonata form, or whatever? Write something in some contemporary form: mosaic, rhythmic cages, golden ratio, pi number or other irrational number, graphic score, indeterminacy, prolatio...