December Newsletter

To all our subscribers

Welcome to our December Newsletter. In this issue, we give details of competitions as well as the usual reminder of opportunities.

We at NewMusicSA hope you have had an enjoyable Christmas and wis you all well for the New Year.

In Daniel Hutchinson’s absence, I (Malcolm Dedman) have prepared this month’s newsletter. Any newsworthy items that would help you to publicise your events in or after February 2019, as well as composers’ or performers’ opportunities, still need to be addressed to Daniel by sending an email to him at daniel@botsheloarts.co.za.


15th “Pablo Sorozabal” International String Quartet Composition Competition.

The Gipuzkoa provincial authority together with the Basque-Navarrese composers' association “Musikagileak” is organising the 15th "Pablo Sorozabal" International String Quartet Composition Competition. The aim of the competition is to foster composition for string quartets by encouraging younger composers to write original works.

- The competition is open to composers of any nationality or origin born after 1st January 1983.
- The deadline for entering scores expires on 30th August 2019.
- There is a single prize of 3,000 euros net plus an accreditative diploma.
- The winning score will be premiered in the contemporary music series at the 81st Musical Fortnight in San Sebastián and subsequently included in the 11th “Musikagileak” Contemporary Music Circuit.
- Contact and complementary information through the email address sorozabalcontest@musikagileak.com

Click here for further information.


Bang on a Can

The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA

Link for more info and online application.
Dates: July 15- Aug 5, 2019

Application deadline: January 8, 2019, 5pm EST

VIDEO: "What IS the Summer Festival at MASS MoCA"
The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is a 3-week musical utopia for innovative composers and performers in the beautiful Berkshire mountains of Western Massachusetts. The residency/festival is dedicated entirely to adventurous contemporary music. Composers will have their new works performed. Players will perform in ensembles sitting alongside their teachers. The program includes daily performances in the museum galleries, and concludes with a three-day blow-out festival performed by the festival fellows and special guests. The program also features African and Latin music workshops, electronics and music business seminars, free events in the community, and more.

Their faculty members and special guests are some of the most innovative musicians of our time. These are musicians who have dedicated their lives to commissioning, rehearsing, recording and performing music beyond the cutting edge.

"I have never had an experience like this before: the idea of building the kind of musical world one wants to live in seems to be something that is really possible here -- it's a place of community and possibility that is utterly transformative."

Please click for More testimonials

Also, you can watch a video here.

Online applications and more info here.

Reminder of Opportunities

1. International Composition Competition 2019
   

Culture Meeting Point are organising this competition which is open to composers of all ages and nationalities. Works that have not won any competitions in the past may be submitted.

Participants may submit as many compositions as they want. Compositions may be for a solo instrument or a duo combination of two instruments among western classical symphonic orchestra instruments with or without electronics. In this case an instruction explaining the use of electronics must be included. The composition should not exceed two players. Compositions must be original, between 2 and 15 minutes duration.

Each entry must be accompanied by an MP3 audio file which may be live or computer generated.
There is an entry fee of 40 Euros for each composition submitted. Candidates take note of the fact that the jury will not make any queries in respect of applications.

Please visit their website for further information.

Please note deadline: 31 March 2019.

     2.  8th Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival 2019
It is with great pride that we announce the launch of the 8th Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival 2019.  The 2019 website is officially open and we look forward to receiving your registration. Follow the link:  www.internationalmarimbafestival.org

1. Festival 2019 will take place on: 27th and 28th July 2019
2. Festival 2019 will take place at: St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg
3. The composer for the Classical section will be GEORG FREDRICH HÄNDEL
4. Change in SIZES of SMALL ENSEMBLE and LARGE ENSEMBLE: SMALL ENSEMBLE: MAXIMUM 10 PEOPLE; LARGE ENSEMBLE: MINIMUM 11 PEOPLE.

COMPOSITION COMPETITION RULES 
(Entry to this competition is restricted to residents of South Africa and residents of all African countries) 
PLEASE NOTE: ANY COMPOSER WHO HAS WON HIS/HER SECTION THREE TIMES IN A ROW IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO ENTER 

BRIEF FOR ALL SECTIONS:

1. Compose an ORIGINAL PIECE (NOT AN ARRANGEMENT OF EXISTING MUSIC) for a marimba band or steelpan band in 3/4 parts: e.g. soprano, tenor and bass
2. Non-melodic percussion parts may be added.
3. Present the composition electronically in staff notation as well as in mp3 format: emailed to: joan@educationafrica.org
4. (Any composer who is unable to present the composition in staff notation must please contact joan@educationafrica.org by 15 MARCH 2019 to arrange for assistance in this area).
5. The piece MUST be performed by an appropriate band at the festival.
6. Composers may NOT enter a previously entered composition to this Festival.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS LENGTH
SCHOOL-GOING YOUTH
(proof of attendance from school is required with entry form)
Composition in 3/4 parts for marimba band or steel band 3 MINUTES
YOUNG ADULTS AGED 19 - 25
Composition in 3/4 parts for marimba band or steel band 3 MINUTES
ADULTS 26 AND OLDER
Composition in 3/4 parts for marimba band or steel band 3 MINUTES

ENTRANCE FEE: R450.00 WHICH INCLUDES A 2-DAY PASSPORT TO THE FESTIVAL.

Closing date for entry fee is: 7 June 2019
Closing date for submission of composition is: 8 July 2019

ONLY 1ST PRIZE WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EACH SECTION. THE FIRST PRIZE WILL BE A CASH PRIZE.