Durham University Composition Competition

Durham University Composition Competition

A new composition competition, hosted by Durham University Brass Band and supported by Added Brass and Steve Robson, is set to publish two works by UK university students or recent graduates

Durham University Brass Band are hosting a new composition competition, supported by Durham Music Shop and Steve Robson. The Durham and Open Composition Competition is open to all UK university students and graduates of up to one year and is looking for pieces of music themed around the North East of England, or a concert march. The original compositions, up to 6 minutes in length, should be arranged for standard brass band orchestration, and be playable after some rehearsal by a 3rd section band.

The competition has two classes, one open to all UK university students and recent graduates, and another open to just Durham University students and recent graduates. Both classes offer prizes of £100, plus the chance to get your work published by Modrana Music Publishers (with a competitive royalty’s agreement) and performed by Durham University Brass Band in the upcoming academic year. If you are looking for something to do over the socially-distanced summer holiday, then this really is a great opportunity!

The winning entries shall be judged by Steve Robson, a composer and concert organiser from Weardale in County Durham. All compositions will be judged “blind” by Steve, with no knowledge of who has written them, giving everyone a fair opportunity! Submissions are also encouraged to include some accompanying notes about the composition.

Entries close on 1st September 2020. Submissions should be made to [email protected], and should be in the form of a score (in pdf format) and audio (notation software output in mp3 format). Scores should not have any indication of the composer’s identity so as to ensure a fair competition. If possible, the submission should also include the score in a Sibelius format, or in any other freely available notation software, however not providing this will not adversely affect the submission. Submissions are encouraged to also include a brief accompanying note about the composition. Submissions should include proof of studentship meeting the criteria set out below. Valid proof includes copies of a dated student card, a graduation certificate, and a letter of student status from the university. Other forms of proof may be acceptable.

The full rules can be found here, and entries/queries should be sent to [email protected].

Steve Robson, judge of the competition