| Due to the substantial number of inquiries received since the original posting of this competition, this announcement and guidelines have been expanded for clarification. (See the Q&A page for additional information.)
The Foundation Orchestra Association (FOA) is proud to announce the Annual FOA Composition Competition, which was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors of the Foundation Orchestra Association and conductor-composer Gary Robert Buchanan. The purpose of the Annual FOA Composition Competition is to encourage the creation and performance of new works for standard chamber and full-size orchestra of music from cultures around the world.
ELIGIBILITY
Unlike any other known composition competition, the Annual FOA Composition Competition is open to composers from around the world, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or political and religious background or affiliations. Previous applicants and winners of this competition are eligible, and encouraged, to enter again.
CRITERIA
The composition should be either:
•
(A) an original composition with an overall multi-cultural theme, OR
•
(B) an arrangement of an ethnic or cultural selection demonstrating a high level of sophistication in orchestration and arranging.
See "Guidelines" below for more on style and instrumentation.
PRIZES
One prize of US$1000, a premiere performance and recording by The Foundation Orchestra, and a one-year individual membership in FOA. The winning composition will be performed by The Foundation Orchestra during the season following announcement, subject to the Orchestra’s ability to schedule and fund the performance.
Runners-up may also be considered, depending upon quality and quantity of submissions. Monetary awards for runners-up will be determined at the time of selection. In any case, the select runners-up will be performed by The Foundation Orchestra and recordings made available to the composer(s) during the season following announcement, subject to the Orchestra’s ability to schedule and fund the performance.
JUDGES
Submitted scores will be reviewed by The Foundation Orchestra’s founding conductor-composer, Gary Robert Buchanan, and a select panel of orchestral principals, along with other area professionals and educators, including FOA board members. The judges reserve the right to grant an award only if high quality compositions are received, or in exceptional circumstances, to grant more than one award. The judgment of the committee is final.
Works will be reviewed with a view towards inspiration, not innovation. Scores composed specifically for this competition, i.e., for The Foundation Orchestra, will be given primary consideration.
GUIDELINES
Style & Instrumentation -
Limit: 2/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - hp., tymp., 2 perc./pno., strings. The Orchestra also has a recorder specialist, saxophonist, guitarist, handbell ensemble, and full percussion battery. Solo vocal selections are also allowable. No choral selections, please.
Non-traditional notation and experimental exercises will not be considered.
Duration -
Works must be between five and ten minutes’ duration.
Limits -
A composer may submit more than one work, but only one prize will be awarded to any one individual. Each entry should be submitted separately. Pieces previously judged in this composition are not eligible for re-submission.
The composition/arrangement must be one which has never been performed publicly, published, or awarded a prize in a previous competition, as the winning piece(s) will be premiered at a concert of The Foundation Orchestra.
Entry Fee
A non-refundable US$50 entry fee in the form of a US Money Order or International Money Order. All monies received are used exclusively for this competition. The entry fee helps to offset costs of administering the competition and reviewing, processing, copying, and storing scores and accompanying recordings.
Submission Requirements
Applicants should submit:
- a clean, easy-to-read copy of the full score
- a demo recording (if available) in the form of a piano rendition, synthesized or digital realization
- a letter of submission to include the composer's name, address, telephone number, e-mail and Web site (if applicable); title of the piece being submitted; date the composition was written (completed); a statement that the work has never been performed publicly, professionally recorded, or previously received an award; the composer’s signature
- a full biographical sketch
- US$50 entry fee in the form of MO or IMO
Deadline and Address for Submission
For each year’s competition, all submissions must be RECEIVED by August 1st and be addressed to:
Annual FOA Composition Competition
c/o Gary Robert Buchanan
16026 South Virginia St.
Reno, Nevada 89521 USA
Tel: (775) 853.4744
Email: gbuchanan@aefosc.org Presentation Score
The winning composer(s) will assume full responsibility for providing adequate performance materials. The winning composer(s) should provide to FOA, in care of Gary Robert Buchanan, a presentation score and a set of performance parts of the winning composition. All submitted performance materials must be fully legible, and playable from the submitted parts. Return of Materials
Scores and recordings will be returned only if a self-addressed, stamped envelope of the proper size is enclosed. Postage must be accurate. FOA cannot take responsibility for the condition of returned materials. Notification of Winning Composition(s)
A decision on the composition prizes is anticipated in late summer or early fall of each year. A performance will be scheduled as soon as is feasible after the award is made. Payment of awards will be made by FOA, contingent upon the submission of required presentation and performance materials. Winners will be announced at the Annual "Spirit of Exploration"TM Awards Dinner of the Andean Explorers Foundation & Ocean Sailing Club, held the second week of October of each year in Reno, Nevada. Winners will be notified prior to any public announcement. Other applicants will not be notified. COPYRIGHT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The winning composer(s) retain full rights to his or her work with the understanding that he or she will grant to FOA a non-exclusive right to perform and record the composition solely for non-commercial, FOA-related activities. A copy of all submitted scores, inclusive of performance materials (parts), will remain with the Orchestra for possible future performance and recording.
The winning composer(s) will warrant to FOA that the composition does not violate any existing copyright in whole or in part, and that he/she has lawful right to the composition. If the composer has any arrangement with any performing rights organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, and the like, the composer is required to instruct the affiliated organization not to collect performance fees or royalties solely where FOA is involved. Compositions that do not win a prize will remain the sole property of the composer. However, FOA will retain submitted scores for possible future performance and/or recording. Composers of non-winning works will be contacted for permission prior to any performance or recording by FOA. In the event of future publication of winning compositions, FOA would require printed acknowledgment of the award on the music. This acknowledgment should be in the following form:
Winner of an Annual FOA Composition Competition Award
(funded by the Foundation Orchestra Association of the
Andean Explorers Foundation & Ocean Sailing Club)
 An Exclusive Interveiw with Gary Robert Buchanan
The Andean Explorer Foundation's Home PageThe Foundation Orchestra Association
|
We
made this song in Finland during the
night when the war started, hoping that
in the world there would never be a need
for a song like this. But the moment
when we finished recording, the war started.