String Ensemble Competition - Performance - Year 2!

Hi All,
Some of you may remember the string ensemble competition that I hosted last year, resulting in a performance by my high school string orchestra. I am offering the same contest again! I would love to do even more collaboration with the winner this year - perhaps a Skype "masterclass" with the composer or the like!

Anyway, the guidelines are 3-5 minute work for string ensemble. This is an intermediate level high school strings group. The weakest section is the basses so I normally say to keep that part simple. You may also include electric bass, guitar, drums, or piano as we have quite capable musicians on all of those instruments.

Deadline: February 10, 2014

For submission, you must include:
PDF of score
Midi demo or recording of piece.
Ability to make clean parts if you win.

I'm interested! A couple of questions:

1. Can you give a number of how many players there are in each section?

2. If I am to employ extended techniques, which ones should I avoid?

Can we use soloists? To be more specific, two solo violins together with the string orchestra?

I'm interested. Where do I enter? 

I am also interested. How many pieces may we submit for consideration?

Answers to questions: 

The orchestra has an imbalance of violins - 3 violin parts may be a good idea. We have 27 vlns (1/2 1st 1/2 2nd), 5 vla, 7 vcl, 4 bass

Avoid thumb position cello/bass and excessively complex stops.

Two solo violins w/ orchestra is fine but remember they are intermediate hs players.

As many submissions as you would like is fine

Please limit compositions to no more than 7 minutes (prefer under 5)

You can inbox me here or email sbeneasler@gmail.com

I'll finish my Romance Concertante for string orchestra +  solo violins soon and enter!

I'm in

After falling just short last year, I'd love to give this another shot :) ! I'm actually delighted that such a thing is taking place again.

Thanks for the chance! I hope I've not run out of ideas just yet ;) ...

Some thoughts:

Think outside of the box. These are high school students. Consider what they listen to (actually a wide range of music, but it normally is catchy and to the point). 

Unique elements interest them - fun and effective extended techniques are encouraged. 

Give your composition a unique name - maybe silly to some but "Concerto Grosso in Bb Major" does not give the image of an exciting new work.

Technology is ok! Students here use iPads for almost everything. If you want to incorporate a backing track or some kind of unique element, it would be a welcome addition. 

Off topic: but it's funny how important a name for a piece of music is, especially for young people. An instant stigma is placed on music with out a name. I guess music becomes too abstract for some at that point. "Concerto Grosso in Bb Major" in itself isn't even a name for a work but simply what the work is. I'd like to mention that I could write a kick-butt Concerto Grosso in Bb Major btw  ;)

My quintet could be arranged for string orchestra and piano.

Yes a title makes a huge difference to young people (and older people). It gives an idea that the piece is old when named as such which isn't always attractive as a new exciting work.

Anyway, deadline is fast approaching. Can't wait to see some of this year's submissions. Only one has reached my inbox so far!

I'll have something (hopefully) in the next few days

can I use any wood winds?

can I use any wood winds?

Annoying

Maybe a clarinet, flute, or oboe. I don't see winds in class. I'd have to borrow from band and is more difficult logistically.

Hmm...

Despite my efforts, I have not been able to spare enough time to finish my projected work, and it has become almost impossible to have it done before the Feb. 10th deadline :(. Everything just got upside down during the last few weeks.

So I'm regretfully dropping out - unless there was a miraculous deadline change.

Thanks anyway!

Hmm...

 

Despite my efforts, I have not been able to spare enough time to finish my projected work, and it has become almost impossible to have it done before the Feb. 10th deadline :(. Everything just got upside down during the last few weeks.

 

So I'm regretfully dropping out - unless there was a miraculous deadline change.

 

Thanks anyway!

What he said. Thanks for reaching out to composers for an original work. Best of luck to the winner.

Here is my submission: http://www.youngcomposers.com/music/listen/6049/Elegy%20for%20Strings

Thanks to all who submitted. I will accept scores until next week

If I'm able to finish anything before, I'll send it at once :nod:!

What the heck, I'll throw my hat into the ring. Here's my entry, (no it's not a concerto grosso) enjoy!

http://www.youngcomposers.com/music/listen/6080/Spanish%20Dance%20for%20Strings

Alright, I'm finally done with my submission: Habanera (for a Playful Kid).

PD. The broken link has been fixed. Whew!

Just want to update all that the results are not finalized yet and I apologize for the delay but we are doing a concert that requires a lot of arranging and haven't had much of a spare minute to devote to this yet. It will come so thank you for your patience