Categories of the Competition
Each composition is invited to be entered into one of the following three Categories:
The instruments that can be used are:
Piano, harpsichord, electronic keyboard, organ, electronic organ, accordion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, harp, classical guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, recorder, piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet/cornet, flugelhorn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, percussion instruments, and drum sets and parts.
Auxiliary instruments can also be used (e.g., alto or bass flute, different types of saxophones, etc.).
The voice categories that can be used are:
Classical singing (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, etc.), popular voice (jazz, pop, rock, R&B, gospel, folk, country, alternative, etc.), and musical theater.
- Work for a solo instrument or voice (with or without piano accompaniment)
- Work for a small group of instruments and/or voices
- Work for a large group of instruments and/or voices
The instruments that can be used are:
Piano, harpsichord, electronic keyboard, organ, electronic organ, accordion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, harp, classical guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, recorder, piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet/cornet, flugelhorn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, percussion instruments, and drum sets and parts.
Auxiliary instruments can also be used (e.g., alto or bass flute, different types of saxophones, etc.).
The voice categories that can be used are:
Classical singing (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, etc.), popular voice (jazz, pop, rock, R&B, gospel, folk, country, alternative, etc.), and musical theater.
Levels of the Competition
Each composition is invited to be entered into one of the following five Levels of difficulty, with Level 1 being the easiest and Level 5 being the most difficult. At each Level, compositions must conform to the following specifications:
LEVEL 1: PRELIMINARY
The musical material composed for this Level must be of an essentially elementary nature. Only the most basic, and hence most common, time signatures and keys must be used. Melodic and rhythmic material must be simple. Indications of dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation must be occur only sporadically in the music, and must be limited to the most basic types. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 3 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 2: ELEMENTARY
The musical material composed for this Level must be of a more demanding nature than for previous Level. The number of keys and time signatures which may be used is increased. Melodic and rhythmic material must be more complex. Indications of dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation must be a more regular feature of the music, and a wider variety of type may be used. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 5 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being at the technically less demanding end of the spectrum of professional repertoire. The number of keys and time signatures which may be used extends to the full range of possibilities. Melodic and rhythmic material may include a significant degree of complexity. The music must include passages where dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation demand considerable dexterity and flexibility. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 7 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being technically inside the spectrum of professional repertoire. The entrant must present a composition of a standard which one might expect to hear at a concert venue, demonstrating a clear maturity of personality and interpretation. Security of technique, and the ability to communicate a degree of flair and imagination, will be expected. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 10 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 5: EXPERT
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being technically fully inside the spectrum of professional repertoire. The entrant must present a composition that demands a truly exceptional demonstration of performing ability of the very highest standard which one might expect to hear at a major concert venue, demonstrating a clear maturity of personality and interpretation. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 15 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 1: PRELIMINARY
The musical material composed for this Level must be of an essentially elementary nature. Only the most basic, and hence most common, time signatures and keys must be used. Melodic and rhythmic material must be simple. Indications of dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation must be occur only sporadically in the music, and must be limited to the most basic types. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 3 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 2: ELEMENTARY
The musical material composed for this Level must be of a more demanding nature than for previous Level. The number of keys and time signatures which may be used is increased. Melodic and rhythmic material must be more complex. Indications of dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation must be a more regular feature of the music, and a wider variety of type may be used. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 5 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 3: INTERMEDIATE
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being at the technically less demanding end of the spectrum of professional repertoire. The number of keys and time signatures which may be used extends to the full range of possibilities. Melodic and rhythmic material may include a significant degree of complexity. The music must include passages where dynamics, articulation, phrasing and ornamentation demand considerable dexterity and flexibility. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 7 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 4: ADVANCED
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being technically inside the spectrum of professional repertoire. The entrant must present a composition of a standard which one might expect to hear at a concert venue, demonstrating a clear maturity of personality and interpretation. Security of technique, and the ability to communicate a degree of flair and imagination, will be expected. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 10 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
LEVEL 5: EXPERT
The musical material composed for this Level must be described as being technically fully inside the spectrum of professional repertoire. The entrant must present a composition that demands a truly exceptional demonstration of performing ability of the very highest standard which one might expect to hear at a major concert venue, demonstrating a clear maturity of personality and interpretation. The duration of the submitted composition may be generally limited to 15 minutes maximum. The composition may be divided into movements, or may comprise two or more songs, etc.
