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Justin Phillips
Notation Product Specialist

Date Joined Mar 2009
Total Posts : 89

Posted 7/16/2010 11:44 AM (GMT -5)

Hi all,

In partnership with the Grammy-winning ensemble eighth blackbird and the American Composers Forum, MakeMusic is proud to sponsor the first-ever Finale National Composition Contest.

The focus of the competition will be chamber music: Applicants are asked to submit current scores and recordings (by 9/15/2010) that demonstrate their ability to write successfully for eighth blackbird.

Three composers will be chosen as finalists. They will receive a cash prize and be asked to write a piece for eighth blackbird, which will be workshopped and performed in the ensemble's Chicago studio.

One of these three pieces will be chosen to receive the final prize, which includes an additional cash award and a future public performance by eighth blackbird.

Who may apply:

Entries are invited from composers of all ages.

Applicants must be living in the United States at the time of the eighth blackbird workshop and studio performance.

Employees and board members of the American Composers Forum may not enter the competition; likewise, employees of MakeMusic, Inc. and members of eighth blackbird and their board of directors are not eligible to enter.

You do not have to be a member of the American Composers Forum to enter this contest. If chosen as a finalist, a one-year's membership is expected.

More information on the contest can be found at the link below:

www.composersforum.org/programs_detail.cfm?oid=12474

Justin Phillips

MakeMusic, Inc.

Notation Product Specialist

These on-line forums are intended for the exchange of ideas among the users of MakeMusic products. If you'd like individual help from our technical support staff, please contact them directly at http://support.makemusic.com/.

Gareth Green
Player of fine trumpets

Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1532

Posted 7/16/2010 11:51 AM (GMT -5)

Irrespective of the fact that I am not a composer, and would not intend to enter, I object to the fact that the competition excludes non-US composers. Isn't MM trying to cultivate a global market?

Gareth J. Green

Fin2010b

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Wlgold
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2004
Total Posts : 937

Posted 7/16/2010 1:10 PM (GMT -5)

Gareth Green said...
Irrespective of the fact that I am not a composer, and would not intend to enter, I object to the fact that the competition excludes non-US composers. Isn't MM trying to cultivate a global market?

It seems to be in conjunction with the American Composers Forum. Maybe that's why.

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Mircea
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 367

Posted 7/16/2010 4:53 PM (GMT -5)

Am I reading this wrong??

Applicants must be living in the United States at the time of the eighth blackbird workshop and studio performance.

This seems to me that anyone can participate as long as he/she can be in the United States at the time of the eighth blackbird workshop and studio performance.

Living in the USA doesn't mean citizenship. Most female tennis players live in Florida (I don't know why) but they play for Russia, Romania, Croatia, Spain, etc at the Davis Cup or any other competition.

OCTOECHOS
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2008
Total Posts : 299

Posted 7/16/2010 5:42 PM (GMT -5)

I don't like the rules. Sorry. Say hallo to the blackbird too.

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Zuill
"The Troll"

Date Joined Oct 2003
Total Posts : 11863

Posted 7/16/2010 6:04 PM (GMT -5)

After looking over the documentation, it does seem to be vague. It has no citizenship restriction whatsoever. I'm sure the attorneys who drafted the rules nade sure it said what they wanted it to say. If you look at the contest statement on the eighth blackbird website, you see this contest is already in its second life. Apparently they started the contest in February and there were issues that caused them to suspend it.

It could be that there will be issues this time around as well. Maybe there will br s third life to this contest when they realize this is a very vague statement without any teeth in it.

The 2 round nature of the competiion is also interesting. I wonder if that means there will be additional guidelines for those who pass round 1.

Zuill

"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

Finale 2002b, 2003a, 2004b, 2005b, Win 2000 or XP

Favorite Forum quote: "Please, everybody, IGNORE THE TROLL!"

Post Edited (Zuill) : 7/16/2010 5:37:15 PM (GMT-5)

warrenbarnett
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 502

Posted 7/16/2010 6:36 PM (GMT -5)

Probably has something to do with allocating any prize outside of the US

Warren Barnett

Finale 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

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alphabetgreen
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2009
Total Posts : 72

Posted 7/17/2010 2:05 PM (GMT -5)

I must say as a UK citizen that I am very disappointed with the criteria of this competition (I have just finished a piece that would have been perfect for it). Fortunately, I am in the process of entering another competition based in the United States. I wrote to them and asked if UK citizens were eligible and they replied back saying that everybody was welcome and that they are very much looking forward to receiving my entry(ies). If I am lucky enough to win.

I will be spending the prize money on a flight over there to hear it being performed. That's how much composition means to me.

"Do the best you can. Do the best you can. The best you can is good enough". Radiohead - "Optimistic" from the album "Kid A"

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Timekeeper
Time Lord

Date Joined Jan 2009
Total Posts : 272

Posted 7/17/2010 6:05 PM (GMT -5)

Do you know how many contests I see advertised that require a contestant to be a citizen of the UK, or Canada, or the EU, or other place outside of North America? Sometimes contests are regional and sometimes they are not. I do not feel a need to complain when a contest is not open to me, I just find another contest.

Matthew
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Symphony of Albuquerque VIOLIST
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QcCowboy
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 3031

Posted 7/17/2010 6:45 PM (GMT -5)

Timekeeper said...
Do you know how many contests I see advertised that require a contestant to be a citizen of the UK, or Canada, or the EU, or other place outside of North America? Sometimes contests are regional and sometimes they are not. I do not feel a need to complain when a contest is not open to me, I just find another contest.

I don't think people are "complaining" in any sort of unjustified manner.
I think, when you reread the comments, that it's more a question of wondering about MakeMusic sponsoring and advertising on this forum, a competition that is not open to all of the forum participants.

Generally speaking, "regional" competitions are not advertised on international forums. Generally speaking.

Michel R. Edward
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Gareth Green
Player of fine trumpets

Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1532

Posted 7/17/2010 6:46 PM (GMT -5)

In this instance, I don't think that's the point. MakeMusic's customer base is global, therefore it is inappropriate for them to sponsor a competition which is not globally inclusive, IMHO.

Gareth J. Green

Fin2010b

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tbmartin
Yuba-Meister

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 1074

Posted 7/17/2010 8:41 PM (GMT -5)

Will you people please get a life? MakeMusic is sponsoring a contest run by the American Composers Forum. THEY set the rules, not MakeMusic. I'm involved in the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival USA. It's open to highschool age and college/young professionals. Are we supposed to announce the contest only in copies of the American Guild of Organist's magazine that are mailed to the age-appropriate people? Give me a break! MakeMusic has one Forum for all its customers. Announcing it here is the most effective way to get word out to their customers. Do you really want MakeMusic to set up separate forums for different countries? All for the sake of not "offending" someone when they're trying to do something good? By the way, did you notice that compositions can be submitted using ANY software package? That's pretty open of them, don't you think? Especially since it gets right at their wallet!

When the Canadian Composers Forum (or the equivalent) or the UK, EU, etc. organizations approach MakeMusic to sponsor their contest, I hope they do. Encouraging composers anywhere helps music everywhere. Unfortunately, with the reception they've been getting here, MakeMusic might think twice about sponsoring another contest of ANY type.

Terence
Saxophone Quartet Arranger

Using Finale 2003a, Windows XP Pro and Vista

Jetcopy
Registered Member

Date Joined Oct 2000
Total Posts : 2759

Posted 7/17/2010 8:47 PM (GMT -5)

I'm mad at Ted Turner too for sponsoring The Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers Competition. I watch movies too, but just because I'm over 30 I can't enter. It's usually the adults who pay the cable bill, paying for this, not the under 30 group. This is unfair!!!!

(sarcasm implied)

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QcCowboy
Registered Member

Date Joined May 2003
Total Posts : 3031

Posted 7/17/2010 8:53 PM (GMT -5)

Terence, I think you're blowing this considerably out of proportion.

tbmartin
Yuba-Meister

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 1074

Posted 7/17/2010 9:11 PM (GMT -5)

QcCowboy said...
Terence, I think you're blowing this considerably out of proportion.

I'm not so sure. Why anybody is the least bit offended by anything MakeMusic has done regarding this contest is totally beyond me. They should be applauded. With a recession and tight money, they're stepping out to help.

Jetcopy: Love it! lol

Terence
Saxophone Quartet Arranger

Using Finale 2003a, Windows XP Pro and Vista

Mike Rosen
himself

Date Joined Feb 2006
Total Posts : 6756

Posted 7/18/2010 12:16 AM (GMT -5)

Terence, I agree with you, JT, and everyone else who shares your viewpoint.

Mike Rosen
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Zuill
"The Troll"

Date Joined Oct 2003
Total Posts : 11863

Posted 7/18/2010 1:23 AM (GMT -5)

There's nothing in the rules that are posted that says a contestant needs to be an U.S. citizen. I read the entire thing. So, it appears it is open to all nations, equally.

Zuill

"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

Finale 2002b, 2003a, 2004b, 2005b, Win 2000 or XP

Favorite Forum quote: "Please, everybody, IGNORE THE TROLL!"

Gareth Green
Player of fine trumpets

Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1532

Posted 7/18/2010 4:28 AM (GMT -5)

Zuill said...
... it appears it is open to all nations, equally.

Yes, if you can afford to live in the US for the duration ...

Gareth J. Green

Fin2010b

Core2Duo E8400@3.00GHz; Vista 64-bit; 8Gb RAM; SB X-Fi Extreme Audio, ATI Radeon HD 4650.

Stolichnaya Blue

"Trumpet players have no use for musicianship; it's too much like having a conscience"

"Never take life seriously; no-one gets out alive anyway."

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