March Newsletter

Dear Subscriber

Welcome to our March Newsletter. In this issue, we have news about our membership; opportunities for composers and performers as well as the usual reminder of opportunities.

As always, do let me know of any newsworthy items, for the next issue, that would help you to publicise your events in or after May 2018. Likewise, if you hear of any composers’ or performers’ opportunities, just send an email to me at [email protected].


NMSA Membership

Please note that, for members, if you intent to renew your membership and have not already done so, your membership will lapse from 1 April 2018. If you have forgotten to renew, or if you wish to join NewMusicSA, you can contact me with a completed application/renewal form.

Fees are still very reasonable, only R200 per year and all students or non-wage earners qualify to pay only R100 for the year.

If you are a composer, you would get the opportunity to submit a work to the annual World Music Days organised by ISCM. Everyone gets free tickets to our Indaba events and any other concert/event we organise; an opportunity to contribute to our website by adding bogs and comments on our newsletters and you will receive a copy of our annual bulletin.

Please note, we will shortly be announcing information about this year’s Indaba.


Annual Bulletin

This is a reminder that I recently sent out a notice asking for contributions to this year’s Annual Bulletin. We would love to hear from you, whether you are a composer, performer or musicologist. Please let us know of any news of your activities, especially in South Africa, and we will look to publishing them. We would like to see initial ideas for consideration by 14 April.

The call can be downloaded here.


Choral Academy of Baccanello Contest

The Choral Academy of Baccanello and the City of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII announce the sixth edition of the reworking of liturgical music and the Universal Church through the Second Vatican Council to keep alive the memory of this pope, priest and man and to create a musical corpus for his liturgical feast held on October 11 each year.

Please download for details.

For more information contact the Artistic Director, Claudio Magni, e-mail: [email protected].

Please note the deadline is 30 April.


Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium 2018

The 25th anniversary of the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium will run from June 28 to July 9, 2018 at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. The focus of the symposium is the creation and performance of works by its participants (composers, composer/performers, performers, ensembles, and conductors) in public concerts (“New Sound Worlds” Concert Series, “Performers Showcase” Concert Series, and “Wild Nights Café” Series).

Please visit website for details.

Further information can be obtained by emailing Robert Kyr at [email protected].

Please note that the early notification deadline is 16 April and the final deadline is 30 April.


Manhattan International Music Competition

This is for performers of piano, voice and strings. Selection will be via video, i.e. no need to travel. Prizes will include a performance at the Carnegie Hall and a CD recording.

For details and application, please visit their website, detailing the categories for entry.

Further information can be obtained by emailing [email protected].

Please note the deadline is 7 April.


Reminder of Opportunities

     1.  International Composition Competition, Città di Udine
The rules and conditions of the new international composition competition "Città di Udine" (12 Edition) are online on Taukay music publishing house website.
There are two sections:

- compositions for chamber instrumental group or solo instrument
- electroacoustic music

Deadline: March 31st 2018

For further information, visit their website, or email [email protected].

     2.  Hélianthe contest, 2nd Edition
This is a request for a pedagogical music piece of at most 4 minutes long which has a link to another type of art (free choice). The piece should be for alto saxophone which can be alone or accompanied by piano, percussion, theatre, dance, video or audio file (4 channels max with stereo reduction mandatory). The composition (including accompaniment) should be playable by young musicians from 1 to 6 years of practice, corresponding at ABRSM levels 1 to 5.

Composition(s) submission(s) deadline is 1 April 2018. Registration fee is 10 € per composition.

For more information, visit their website and download the application form.

      3.  9th International Antonín Dvořák Composition Competition
This will be held at the Prague Conservatory in the Czech Republic from 22 to 30 July, 2018. This competition was founded in order to extol the great accomplishments of the composer Antonín Dvořák, and to discover and raise-up young, talented composers who can carry on the historical musical legacy. The composition committee intends to support the selected composers’ continued development by providing composition commissions, as well as recording and performance opportunities.

For more detailed information regarding the competition please download information and refer to the competition homepage.

Please note, deadline for 1st round application is 6 April.

     4.  Mauricio Kagel Composition Competition
Composers younger than 40 years can submit pieces for piano that are suitable for children and young adults.

Deadline: 15 August 2018.

The prize money totals 10,000 Euros.

For further details, please download information sheet and visit their website.

     5.  5th Antonio Smareglia International Composition Competition
The Accademia di Studi Pianistici "Antonio Ricci” of Udine, ITALY announce the 5th Antonio Smareglia International Composition Competition. Please download for detailed information.

Please note deadline: 31 May.