New Grant Program for Emerging Composers

A new Grant Program has been established by the Bavarian Government & the University of Music, Munich in honor of my uncle, a celebrated composer and the youngest conductor of the Vilna Philharmonic Orchestra who was killed one hour before the liberation of his concentration camp during WWII. The annual Wolf Durmashkin Composition Award will celebrate his legacy by offering emerging composers in the genre of MODERN CLASSICAL* or JAZZ* (see below for specific conditions) an opportunity to submit their original works. Each year three winners will be featured at a Gala Reception with performances of their work to be held in Landsberg, Germany. This year, the Jubilee Concert will be held on May 10, 2018. For an overview on the Call for Submission, please review the following information. If you have any questions, please contact Abe Gurko, abe@abenyc.com 

THE 1ST ANNUAL WOLF DURMASHKIN COMPOSITION AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF EMERGING COMPOSERS IN LANDSBERG, GERMANY MAY 2018
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION AND SUBMISSIONS TO THIS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND GRANT PROGRAM FOR UP-AND-COMING COMPOSERS ENTITLED 
"MUSIC AND THE HOLOCAUST"
DEADLINE: JANUARY 10,  2018 
AWARDS PRESENTED: MAY 10, 2018

WHAT: The first annual Wolf Durmashkin Composition Awards (WDCA) will be presented to the next generation of aspiring composers. Recipients will be endowed with a total of $7,500, which has been established in cooperation with the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich.
Participation is open to musicians of all nationalities and up to 35 years old. The works of the three prizewinners will be premiered at a Gala event on May 10, 2018 in Landsberg, Germany. The WDCA is an honorarium in memory of the composer whose life was cut short by the Nazis in 1944.

WHO: Journalist, Karla Schönebeck and artist, Wolfgang Hauck of Landsberg's sociocultural association dieKunstBauStelle spearhead this landmark initiative in association with Professors Bernd Redmann, Jan Müller- Wieland & Tilman Jägerof the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich as well as the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bavarian Government. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPOSITION:  (Modern Classical or Jazz compositions are subject to the following conditions:)**

• Original compositions, a maximum of 10 minutes can be submitted until January 10, 2018.
• Category: Vocals and Instrumental
• Cast: Up to five musicians
• Instrumentation: Compositions are permitted only with the following instruments and vocals in free selection, which can be staged without technical/electronic aids.
  • Vocals (Tenor, Soprano)
  • Soloist ensemble with the following instruments:
  • Accordion, String instruments (maximum 2x violins, 1x viola, 1x cello, 1x bass), Percussion, (Percussion/drums), Clarinet, Horn, and Trumpet

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR ORIGINAL COMPOSITION:

1. Go to: http://wdc-award.org/en/registration-form/
2. Download the (2) Registration Forms: Form for Personal Data and Form for Signature.
3. Please provide a Portrait with your submission.
4. Email your completed information to competition@wdc-award.org

WHY: To honor the legacy and the tragic loss of the brilliant pianist, composer, conductor and choir director, Wolf Durmashkin, who was murdered in Klooga, an Estonian concentration camp. WDCA will celebrate his legacy with music and the arts, a teaching opportunity for young participants while honoring those lost in the Holocaust. The competition is inspired by the 70^th anniversary of the Displaced Persons' Orchestra of St. Ottilien, also known as the Orchestra of the Surviving Remnant. Wolf’s two sisters, Henny and Fania, survivors of Dachau, performed with the Orchestra.

CONTACT: ABE GURKO  abe@abenyc.com