The Official Voting Thread for the 2008 February/March Competition!

[Morivou]

K, here's the poll!!!!

EDIT: This is a public poll)

[James H.]

Just to provide some commentary, I suppose the option concerning a movement of a larger work could be followed by having competitions later on with the same theme. We could write a first movement, and the next round will be to write a middle movement, and the following round to write a final movement, at the end of the period the contestants will have a finished work of symphony scale. I would like to see the option expanded to include movements of large works for orchestra as well, but that's up to Morivou.

The tune based off a culture has many possibilities, most notable being Gypsy dances, nationalistic folk tunes, Celtic tunes (pipe tunes, fiddle tunes, or whatnot), Italian dances, any style of music specific to a certain region of choice. QUESTION: would we write for a traditional ensemble or modern ensemble of choice? I.E., if I were to write a Celtic folk tune, must I write for instruments specific to that style... bagpipes, tin-whistles, fiddles, drums, guitar, ect... or take a folk tune and write it for say... brass quintet or symphony orchestra? What would be the specifications here?

I would note that we have already held a duet competition here on YC of significant scale, I feel it redundant to have another unless the consensus suggests otherwise.

The other two I have no comments on, but the non-thematic freeform piece intrigues me.

I will withhold my vote until I see more comments on this, they may affect my decision.

[Morivou]

Just to provide some commentary, I suppose the option concerning a movement of a larger work could be followed by having competitions later on with the same theme. We could write a first movement, and the next round will be to write a middle movement, and the following round to write a final movement, at the end of the period the contestants will have a finished work of symphony scale. I would like to see the option expanded to include movements of large works for orchestra as well, but that's up to Morivou.

Sure, sure! If it wins, that is what we will do.

The tune based off a culture has many possibilities, most notable being Gypsy dances, nationalistic folk tunes, Celtic tunes (pipe tunes, fiddle tunes, or whatnot), Italian dances, any style of music specific to a certain region of choice. QUESTION: would we write for a traditional ensemble or modern ensemble of choice? I.E., if I were to write a Celtic folk tune, must I write for instruments specific to that style... bagpipes, tin-whistles, fiddles, drums, guitar, ect... or take a folk tune and write it for say... brass quintet or symphony orchestra? What would be the specifications here?

I think since people do not know HOW to write for specific instruments of a culture, that it should not be a requirement. However, if you know how to write for them, I will not stop you. I will make that clear in the specifications if it is chosen.

I would note that we have already held a duet competition here on YC of significant scale, I feel it redundant to have another unless the consensus suggests otherwise.

The other two I have no comments on, but the non-thematic freeform piece intrigues me.

I will withhold my vote until I see more comments on this, they may affect my decision.

Coolness! However, public demand yields here, I don't control what is in the terms of competition, I just keep non-quality suggestions out and make the rules.

-Mori-

[Dev]

You know, as grandiose an idea as it is to write a symphony over the course of several separate competitions, I think that's actually not a good plan for this - at least, certainly not all in a row. I just mean, the composers who don't have experience/enjoy/have the ability to write for concert band will have to miss out on about 3-4 months in a row while (what I anticipate to be) a very few number of contestants battle it out over and over again.

I think, either it should be the first movement of a planned symphony that is entirely up to the composer to finish on his or her own, or the three or so movements are spread out over the year, say one now, one in June, one in October (not sure how long-term we're planning this thing) just to vary the competitions and let some less experienced composers have a chance to compete with something they're good at.

That is, of course, only if that option wins.

[Morivou]

You know, as grandiose an idea as it is to write a symphony over the course of several separate competitions, I think that's actually not a good plan for this - at least, certainly not all in a row. I just mean, the composers who don't have experience/enjoy/have the ability to write for concert band will have to miss out on about 3-4 months in a row while (what I anticipate to be) a very few number of contestants battle it out over and over again.

I think, either it should be the first movement of a planned symphony that is entirely up to the composer to finish on his or her own, or the three or so movements are spread out over the year, say one now, one in June, one in October (not sure how long-term we're planning this thing) just to vary the competitions and let some less experienced composers have a chance to compete with something they're good at.

That is, of course, only if that option wins.

THIS is why we keep you around! I will take that into consideration if it wins! Thanks! ;)

[XxCransworthxX]

If it is the first one, I'll probably enter something. If not, I may judge again.

[James H.]

... or the three or so movements are spread out over the year, say one now, one in June, one in October (not sure how long-term we're planning this thing) just to vary the competitions and let some less experienced composers have a chance to compete with something they're good at.

That is, of course, only if that option wins.

I had that in mind when I suggested the idea. We will have have future polls, and one of the selections will be to complete another movement of this large symphonic work (provided we do a first movement). So if people WANT to continue it, their votes will reflect that. It is all up 'to the people'. ;)

Let me just ask... how many people think they can complete a half-decent symphony/suite movement in a month in a half?

[XxCransworthxX]

I had that in mind when I suggested the idea. We will have have future polls, and one of the selections will be to complete another movement of this large symphonic work (provided we do a first movement). So if people WANT to continue it, their votes will reflect that. It is all up 'to the people'. ;)

Let me just ask... how many people think they can complete a half-decent symphony/suite movement in a month in a half?

I could. I've done it before. Some movements from MMATGFMDG only took, like, a couple days, actually....

[Dev]

I'm pretty much gonna try no matter what, so yeah, I could do a movement

[goodridge_winners]

FREE FORM PIANO WORK...PLEASE!!!

Step outside the box...

[James H.]

I ... would choose that, because I like that whole outside the box idea, but I hate writing for piano, so... :P

[Morivou]

It looks like people are going for the easy one... but I'm not one to judge. haha. I THINK we've found our winner? Any takers? I may close the poll early and get the competition started early, whatd'ya think?

[Dev]

I say go for it, it doesn't look like it's even a close race this time around.

[Morivou]

O.K., that's it. I'll post the sign-up thread before midnight.

[James H.]

The cultural tune still stands half a chance... but you're the boss here. I just introduced a few more members to this thread, so voting isn't necessarily over yet.

[Morivou]

Sorry, too late... try again in April.