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Cambridge Young Composer of the Year Competition 2012
 
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We are delighted to announce the 2012 Cambridge Young Composer of the Year Competition – the 7th we have organised for young composers in Cambridgeshire.

Once again all those entering will be invited to a free composing workshop, open to all, on Wednesday 7 March, when selections from the competition entries will be performed by professional musicians and composing techniques discussed. The overall winner of the competition will be invited to compose a piece for the Ely Sinfonia.

A new feature this year will be the opportunity to submit an electronic track of music, in addition to a musical score. Full details below.

Entry criteria
The competition is open to anyone aged 18 and under on 1 January 2012 who lives in Cambridgeshire (excluding Peterborough) or who goes to school in the county.

New for 2012
This year we have an exciting new option for the competition. In addition to a written score you may send in an electronic track of music you have created, designed to accompany the performance of your composition by the workshop musicians.

You can also compose your piece of music to accompany a short film clip or series of still images. The video or images could be something you have created yourself or that someone else has made.

Both the electronic track and composing for film are entirely optional however. Your composition can be submitted without either of these additions.

All entrants must submit a written score (either printed or hand written). We will not accept an electronic composition on its own.

Age groups
Entries will be judged in three age groups (age on January 1, 2012):

  • Up to 12 years
  • 13 to 15 years
  • 16 to 18 years

Composition length
Entries in all age groups must be a maximum of 5 minutes long.

Composition scoring
Competitors must write for one or more instruments selected from: a piano; a cello; a trumpet; a clarinet (or sax). No more than one of each kind of instrument please as we will only have one of each at the workshop.

Compositions may be written for all four instruments, or any combination of them eg:

  • piano, cello and clarinet
  • trumpet and piano
  • sax and piano
  • solo piano

The competition
As before all competitors will receive written feedback from the adjudicator, composer Jeremy Thurlow. There will be a class winner and Highly Commended awards for each age group.

One of the three age group winners will be chosen as the overall winner of the competition and the Cambridge Young Composer of the Year 2012. The winner will receive:

  • the Young Composer of the Year cup
  • a cash prize of £50

The winner will also be invited to compose a piece for the Ely Sinfonia Orchestra. We would expect the work to be performed by the orchestra although a final decision on this rests with the orchestra's musical director.

All entrants will be invited to take part in a free workshop in March 2012 (exact date to be announced), at which selections from the entries will be performed by professional musicians and composing techniques discussed by the adjudicator.

How to enter
To enter the competition please complete an entry form and return it, together with the entry fee of £10, no later than Friday 16 December 2011. Compositions must be received no later than Saturday 28 January 2012. Before entering please read a copy of the competition rules.

Downloadable files
Entry form in Word formats

If you have any queries please get in touch:
Email: enquiries@cambridgeyouthmusic.org.uk
Phone: Clare Gilmour on 01954 212298

 

Competiton timetable

Entry forms to be received by: Friday 16 December 2011

Compositions to be received by: Saturday 28 January 2012


Winners announced: March 2012

Composing Workshop: 7.30pm, Wednesday 7 March 2012 Leys School, Cambridge

Download the...
Competition rules
Entry form