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Migratory Journeys

icc-competition-info

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Background

The Chinese Fine Arts Society’s International Music Composition Competition, sponsored twice a decade, solicits new music from composers worldwide inspired by Chinese cultural history.  The winning compositions are premiered in a high-profile Chicago-area venue, performed by professional musicians. The International Music Composition Competition seeks to inspire creativity and innovation in the global music community. Music written by participating composers is incorporated into the required repertoire of the Chinese Fine Arts Society’s annual Music Festival in Honor of Confucius.

This year’s distinguished advisory panel includes:

  • Sophia Wong Boccio, Fulcrum Point New Music Project Executive Director
  • Seth Boustead, Accessible New Music Executive Director
  • Henry Fogel, Dean of the Chicago College for the Performing Arts, Roosevelt University
  • Rachel Barton Pine, violinist

Migratory Journeys

The International Music Composition Competition: Migratory Journeys announced its Call for Entries in April 2010 and will culminate with a World Premiere Concert in Chicago in Winter 2012.

Composers throughout the world are cordially invited to participate by creating original music inspired by the wandering, resettling, and emigration of Chinese diaspora population through the world.

To set stylistic boundaries, composer must utilize at least one of the following:

  • Use of one or more traditional Chinese folk melodies
  • Use of the pentatonic scale
  • Incorporating Chinese instruments
  • Programmatic element or story line reflective of the Migratory Journeys theme

About the Program

Awards are given to composers who create new works with a Chinese cultural theme.

Deadline: October 29, 2010

Professional Division Awards:
First place – $3,500; Second Place – $2,000; Third Place – $1,000

Student Division Awards:
First Place – $1,000; Second Place – $500; Third Place – $250

In addition, a modest travel stipend will be provided to winning composers to attend the world premiere concert.

Professional Division Award winners and the First Place winner in the Student Division will be performed at the World Premiere Concert. Judges reserve the right to choose Honorable Mentions in either category.

Eligibility

Composers of any nationality may apply.

Composers must apply in one of the following categories.

  • Students (currently enrolled in a pre-college or degree program)
  • Professionals

Students may be requested to furnish evidence of enrollment.

Restrictions

  • The composition must not have been performed professionally prior to the competition.
  • The composition must be unpublished.

Judging Criteria

  • Artistic merit of the project
  • The appropriateness of the composition to the Migratory Journeys theme

Judging Procedure

A peer panel chosen by the Chinese Fine Arts Society will decide winners. CFAS reserves the right to implement the rules and regulations and other details of the competition as needed.

Content and Length of Composition

Compositions in any form and style will be considered.  Compositions may be written for solo piano, strings, winds, voice, or traditional Chinese instruments, including, but not limited to pipa, erhu, dizi and Chinese zither.  Chamber ensembles for up to eight players including percussion will be accepted. Entries may be up to 12 minutes.

Copyright

The composers will retain the copyrights to their works.  CFAS reserves the right to perform, record, publish and market the winning compositions. CFAS will reserve the rights to the Worldwide Premiere of the winning compositions.

Founded in 1984, the Chinese Fine Arts Society (CFAS) is a non-profit cultural advocacy group dedicated to promoting the understanding of Chinese culture through music and other fine arts.  For twenty-five years, CFAS has established itself with widely attended cultural events in various venues involving the music and arts communities and the public at large.

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