Call for applications: South African National Composers’ Competition

The competition is designed for young composers to develop skills and recognise talent in the local creative music industry. The new competition, which is for a five-to-15 minute work for symphony orchestra, seeks to provide sought-after performance opportunities to composers.

The competition is open to all South Africans, born (or naturalised), not older than 35 years of age, born no earlier than 31 August 1987. Entry is free.

The prizes

• First prize: A one year appointment as resident composer of the CPO which comprises a performance of the winning composition in a CPO concert, and one new commission to be performed at a later date. There will also be a cash prize of R20 000.
• Second prize: R10 000 with at least one public performance of the composition.
• Third prize: R5 000 with at least one public performance of the composition.

The works of the remaining two finalists may be performed at an appropriate time.

Requirements

• Only one composition may be selected for the final round but others may be submitted. The work must not be longer than 15 minutes in duration and preferably not shorter than five minutes.
• The composition should be an original work composed by the participant and not published, performed or awarded recognition in any competition. It must be free of any liabilities, including those with publishing houses.
• Instrumentation for works can include strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion, piano, harp, celesta, traditional African instruments, and not more than a combination of three electronic instruments. Works for solo instrument or voice will not be accepted.
• Arrangements of existing works will be disqualified.
• Composers will retain ownership of the compositions. Composers agree that the CPO may use their composition for promotional purposes.
• Pre-recorded music or electronic music compositions will not be accepted.

How to submit

Submissions must be emailed and must include:

• A clean and clear score in PDF format from music notation software with the duration clearly marked on the first page.
• No attribution on the score to ensure it remains anonymous to the judges.
• Explanations are only allowed for special requirements on performing techniques or forms and the only musical languages allowed are Italian, English and Latin.
• An audio demo in MP3 format with title: name, surname and a short programme note.
• A completed application form signed by the participant.
• Two digital photos of the entrant not older than three months and measuring at least 35mm X 50mm.
• Scanned ID document or passport with photo showing date and place of birth.

Note: MP3 recordings or score must not be identifiable.

Where to submit

• Submissions must be emailed to info@cpo.org.za before 31 August.
• Incomplete applications and compositions that do not meet above requirements will be disqualified.
• All the required materials must be submitted by e-mail before 31 August.]
• Enquiries may be made to the organising committee or the convener, Louis Heyneman, at louis@cpo.org.za.
• Members of the jury and the organising committee are disqualified from participating in this competition.
• All materials submitted will be retained by the organisers and will not be returned.

Judging

• The jury will include distinguished composers, conductors and musicologists whose names will be announced later. The jury’s decision will be final.
• All entries will be judged anonymously and only the convener will be aware of identities to ensure confidentiality. The jury will review scores and sound files only.
• Any markings, notations or indications on the scores and any sound elements on the recordings that in any way identify the composer will disqualify the candidate.
• By applying for the competition, each candidate accepts all of the regulations of the competition.
• The winner will be announced in October 2022.

Procedure and selection

• To ensure fairness of the competition, all the composition works will be numbered and sealed before selection.
• A preliminary round will be based on the submitted scores and five finalists will be selected. The finals will take place in the form of a live performance with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, where the award-winning composition(s) will be selected. The presenters reserve the right not make any awards if the compositions do not meet the grading criteria.

Relevant rights

All winners retain the copyright of the winning works. The award winner must agree to grant the following rights to the CPO free of charge:

• The organiser has the right to premiere the award-winning composition and the priority to publish and perform the winning composition.
• The organiser has the right to perform the award-winning composition(s) or any other forms of audio-visual products for non-commercial purpose and publish it on social media or YouTube.
• Each award-winning composition, regardless of when and wherever it is performed, should be noted as “A 2022 South African Composers’ Competition ” prize-winning composition.
• Composers whose works are selected for the final concert will be asked to grant a media or video interview to present themselves and the work. Composers will be required to be on standby for rehearsals.
• The prize-winning works remain the full and complete property of their authors, who take personal written responsibility for allowing them to be performed and broadcast, free of any rights (with the exception of copyright and editing rights).
• Laureates waive all and any rights to audio/video recordings as well as radio/television/internet broadcasts of public sessions of the Competition, as well as further use of pictures or videos from themselves, taken during the performance.

Subject to changes

The appointment of the five jury members is the sovereign responsibility of the Artistic Committee of the Competition. Members are chosen for their international recognition in the music world, regardless of any racial, ideological, political or linguistic considerations.

The jury’s deliberations are governed by internal regulations. Their decisions are final and there is no right of appeal. After all selection rounds all applying composers will be informed about the results.

View the original call here.