New Monthly Competitions

Ok, since the Moderators have ignored this lovely concept of a Monthly Competition... I guess I will taking over.

So, yeah, let's do it! I believe 11 days is enough to plan for a January Monthly competition. I think the best way to do this is to get suggestions for about five days (only one suggestion per member). I will take the first 5 suggestions and put them on a poll (Around the 25th). Then, we vote. If we leak a little into January that's ok.

Now, onto the parameters for nominations:

1. No large-scale Orchestral pieces... I say this because these competitions should be more laid back than the full competitions, otherwise there's no point.*

2. The Pieces must be no longer than 20 minutes of music (a.). However, they may be as short as 1 and a half minutes(b.). This is to:

a. Once again, I want it laid back.

b. They need to do SOME work.

*- I believe this could have been one of the problems and causes of the demise of the former Monthly Competitions Thread.

Really, those are the only prerequisites... any others you think of I will add!

Also, this post is purely "lay leader-easque", in that I do not believe that I am authorized to run this competition, however, I want this to happen and nobody else is doing it. So, yeah. If the mods wish to delete this purely on preference of somebody else who is more qualified, so be it. :)

-Mori-

I suggest a trio of some sort with a certain type of instrumentation. If the ensembles are the same then it'd be easier to judge usage of the instruments, and skills of a composer, along with just the merits of the piece.

For the instrumentation I suggest something a bit unusual, bass-clarinet, flute, and french horn, for example...using "normal" instruments, but in a not frequently used ensemble.

I used to help organize them when they just started... good times...

What kind of piece would it be?

Good ideas, Mori!

May I suggest one thing- I think that twenty second works are a bit too short. Even I can write a twenty-second piece, and throw it away just because I feel that I couldn't possibly get away with it. The point is that you can't really express something musical (or musically, for that matter) with out at LEAST fourty seconds. Could we bump it to fourty?

Verdi-lover-

That's a good point. However, I feel that the judges should do their bidding based off the musical content rather than the instrumentation. But you are right; it could interfere with good judegment. How about we set a rule that the work must be either a string quartet, or other peice for four or five instruments (this goes alongside the suggestion for only chamber works).

Spectrums- It can be any type you like (minus songs, because they have a different impact from instrumental music)

Alan

Good ideas, Mori!

May I suggest one thing- I think that twenty second works are a bit too short. Even I can write a twenty-second piece, and throw it away just because I feel that I couldn't possibly get away with it. The point is that you can't really express something musical (or musically, for that matter) with out at LEAST fourty seconds. Could we bump it to fourty?

Alan, your judge.

So be niiice!

Sure, why not even a minimum of 2 minutes?

Also, speaking of judges.... I will need a panel of judges for each month. I think we should have a DIFFERENT panel each time, therefore allowing the judges to participate at some point. I cannot remember how that worked in the past.

I suggest a trio of some sort with a certain type of instrumentation. If the ensembles are the same then it'd be easier to judge usage of the instruments, and skills of a composer, along with just the merits of the piece.

For the instrumentation I suggest something a bit unusual, bass-clarinet, flute, and french horn, for example...using "normal" instruments, but in a not frequently used ensemble.

Interesting idea, this is nomination Number 1! (Four more to go.)

YAY i'm a judge for the New Year's Competition!

Anyway, I feel that two minutes is a tiny a bit long to expect of everybody (though not a bad idea). Maybe if we could compromise on a minute-and-a-half, we could get away with it.

Alan

great idea!

how about a duet, or piece for string orchestra?

or a small chamber concerto (concertino)?

great idea!

how about a duet, or piece for string orchestra?

or a small chamber concerto (concertino)?

Small Chamber Concerto sounds reasonable... NOMINATION #2.

YAY i'm a judge for the New Year's Competition!

Anyway, I feel that two minutes is a tiny a bit long to expect of everybody (though not a bad idea). Maybe if we could compromise on a minute-and-a-half, we could get away with it.

Alan

1 and a half minutes it is!

How about a solo monodic piece? (i.e. no violins, guitars, pianos etc). This could be challenging. And if you want the challenge to be a bit more challenging, a solo monodic piece for a family instrument (i.e. for woodwind, for brass etc) or even for a specific instrument (A clarinet, Eb trumpet etc).

INteresting choice... nomination #3.

OOH, that was a good one!

I have one- how about a challenge where you must write music to a very profound or unusual theme.

For example, you would have to write music (any instrument group) to a scene that resembles (but is not necessarily like) waking up in the morning, or possibly fireflies!

Nomination Numero 4.

Writing music using a given motif? And the motif must appear at least twice in the piece.

I think these competitions' only requirement should be an ensemble of like 5 instruments that each person has to write their piece for, and the ensemble changes every month, and beyond that (and the time limit) there aren't any other restrictions. Cause if you want to write music to a given theme there's the conceptual music competition which is also held about once a month

How about writing a certain type of form, like a sonata or rondo or themes and variations?

The instrumentation could be whatever you want, but a certain type of form should be adhered to. The piece could be judged on the ability to structure, then, along with the other components of composing the piece.

I also like the working on a piece from a given motif or even a theme. Hell, that could be combined with my idea for a themes and variations piece :w00t:.

I think these competitions' only requirement should be an ensemble of like 5 instruments that each person has to write their piece for, and the ensemble changes every month, and beyond that (and the time limit) there aren't any other restrictions. Cause if you want to write music to a given theme there's the conceptual music competition which is also held about once a month

What?? Conceptual music competition?? I didn't think that there were any going on. Besides, those use different scenarios. AND, in order to make these fun, you have to do more than send a bunch of composers wild without anything intresting to do. It may as well be an assignment if there's nothing different in these monthly competitions than just writing a piece!

And don't worry, every month, we will (as a group) come up with a little fun challenge to be incorporated in the composition! hehe.

I think there should be a predetermined theme. and then each composer should do a theme and variations using a chamber group. It could be string quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, just no more than five instruments.

Well, all of the nominations are already up, try again next month. However, you can vote in the nominations thread!!

For anybody that isn't aware, some planning has been going on regarding the Monthly Competitions. An all-year tournament has been suggested, all members will be encouraged to participate in each monthly round, and champions will be announced and recognized at the end of the year for leading with the most points.

For further information or to make suggestions, view this thread:

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/idea-12755.html

For anybody that isn't aware, some planning has been going on regarding the Monthly Competitions. An all-year tournament has been suggested, all members will be encouraged to participate in each monthly round, and champions will be announced and recognized at the end of the year for leading with the most points.

For further information or to make suggestions, view this thread:

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/idea-12755.html

Apparently, this is going to go through as I saw from a recent PM I received. So yeah, I am excited. I am going to start a tournament thread once the January competition results are posted.

I forgot to respond to that PM, sorry chaps :blush:

I'm all for it and shall do anything I can to assist Matt, James and Mori :D