The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra Division, 2012

The American Prize in Composition recognizes and rewards the best composers in America of new works for orchestra or chorus that have been publicly performed.

WHAT WINNERS WIN:
The American Prize is more than monetary. In addition to winners receiving cash prizes up to $500, depending on the year, the category and the number of entrants, all winners and finalists receive award certificates, as well as written, unbiased evaluations from our distinguished national panel of judges. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners are announced to national arts media and on our websites, where winners are profiled. Personalized press releases announcing your selection as a finalist, runner-up or winner are sent by us to local media and other contacts you provide as part of your application. Excerpts of winning performances will be posted to The American Prize channel on YouTube.

To see how previous laureates of The American Prize have used their placement in the competitions to promote their careers, please visit The American Prize Winning Links.

DOWNLOAD ORCHESTRA COMPOSITION APPLICATION HERE (PDF)
POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): Monday, January 23, 2012.

OVERVIEW:
The American Prize in Composition is offered in two divisions: new works for orchestra and new works for chorus, and in two categories, based on your education and experience. You may make application in the orchestra or the choral division, or in both. Works for chorus and orchestra performing together should be submitted in the Choral Division.

The two categories are:
    1. professional composer
    2. student composer (actively engaged in learning the art & craft of composition in a school or other educational setting)

ELIGIBILITY:
The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories. All application fees must be remitted in U.S. funds.

APPLICATION:
There is a single application form for The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra Division. Select the category which best identifies the applicant.
    1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
    2. Include two identical recordings of the orchestra composition, with the conductor, ensemble and work clearly indicated.
    3. Include two identical copies of the complete orchestral score (no reduced or short scores.) Provide a stamped self-addressed envelope of proper size and postage if you would like scores returned. We do not accept PDFs or scores provided by other electronic means.
    4. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
    5. Be sure to also email the required information.

The application fee is $35 per composer per application. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:

The American Prize in Composition—Orchestra Division is designed to evaluate and reward composers of orchestra works which have already been performed and recorded. The performance may be by a student, community or professional ensemble. Do not block out your name on scores. Composers do not remain anonymous. For the purposes of this competition, an “orchestra work” is defined as any composition that is designed to be conducted which requires at least 8 musicians and includes among its membership bowed string instruments. (This definition is purposely broad to allow the largest number of potential contestants to be eligible. We seek to welcome the greatest variety of composers of orchestra works from throughout the country.)

The composition may be of any length, but recordings must include the entire work. Only one composition per application may be submitted. Performers must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. We accept DVD, VHS or CD recordings only. No cassette tapes or other electronic media. Only live performances. No “computer realized” or “synthesized” recordings will be accepted. There are no other restrictions. No scores will be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope of proper size and postage.

For the 2012 competition, there is no restriction as to when the composition was created.

PUBLISHED TIMELINE for this competition:

1. Deadline for postmark of applications: January 23, 2012. Applications will be acknowledged by email.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists: begins week of February 27, 2012
3. Announcement of finalists: begins week of April 2, 2012
4. Announcement of winners: begins week of May 7, 2012