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composer of the year

ABOUT
THE PROGRAM

 

The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Ryan Haskins are pleased to issue a “Call for Scores” for the SCSO’s 2023 Composer of the Year Competition.

The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra is committed to educating, developing, and promoting American composers. The SCSO Composer of the Year Competition is designed to annually highlight one talented composer who is currently in the early stages of their professional career. In addition to a One-Thousand US dollars ($1,000.00) monetary prize, the SCSO’s Composer of the Year will receive a premiere performance by the Sioux City Symphony, press/media coverage, scheduled lectures at selected local colleges and universities, and involvement in a variety of other community-related outreach programs.

Composer of the year logo

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Applicants must be US Citizens in the early stages of their professional careers.
  2. Submitted work may have yet to receive a performance or a reading by a professional orchestra. (school/conservatory performances do not count as professional readings/performances)
  3. Work should be five (5) to fifteen (15) minutes in length.
  4. Not eligible are concertos and choral works.
  5. Instrumentation must not exceed: 2 fl [1.2/pic], 2 ob [ 1.2/eh], 2 cl [1.2/bcl], 2 bsn [1.2/cbn], 4 hn, 2 tp, 2 tbn, 1 b-tbn, 1 tuba, timp +2, pf/cel, str

SUBMIT

  1. Score must be submitted in PDF format
  2. One (1) computer-generated score of a work written within the last five (5) years
  3. A recording is required (MIDI is acceptable)
  4. One (1) current curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s current address, telephone number, email address, and proof of US Citizenship
  5. A short bio of the composer in PDF format (150 words max)
  6. A brief description of the work and notes detailing performance history, if any, including all dates and names of performing ensembles.
  7. Entry Fee of Twenty-Five US dollars ($25.00) payable via PayPal.com link below

The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra is not currently accepting entries for Composer of the Year due to COVID-19. This page will be updated when we re-open the process for entries.

All materials must be submitted via email: siouxcitysymphony@gmail.com

After the selection panel reviews all entries, the Composer of the Year will be chosen. Their work will be performed on Saturday, November 18, 2023, by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. The Composer of the Year will travel to Sioux City and be a part of the rehearsal process for the premiere of their work, in addition to other scheduled community outreach activities.

The selection panel will include Music Director Ryan Haskins, composer Clint Needham, and other artistic team members.

Finalists will be interviewed (via phone) by the committee and are expected to speak succinctly about their work and their compositional process and offer any additional concepts that may help an audience engage with their work.

Applicants will be notified of the results by Monday, July 3, 2023.

Upon selection, the Composer of the Year must provide the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra with a complete set of parts (at no additional cost to the SCSO) that conform to the American Composers Forum Music Copying Guidelines.

TRAVEL

The Sioux City Symphony will provide the Composer of the Year with one (1) round trip flight to Sioux City, IA.

LODGING

The Sioux City Symphony will provide the Composer of the Year with hotel accommodations and local ground transportation during their residency in Sioux City.

AWARD

The Sioux City Symphony will award a monetary prize of One-Thousand US dollars ($1,000.00) to the named Composer of the Year (recipient is responsible for all US taxes associated with prize money).

SCSO COMPOSER OF THE YEAR

COMPETITION SUMMARY

DEADLINE:

Applications must be received by Monday, May 15, 2023

WHO MAY APPLY:

US Citizens / Composer in the early stages of their professional career

ENTRY FEE:

Twenty-Five US dollars ($25.00) 

(Payable via PayPal link below)

LIMITATIONS:

One (1) work per applicant will be considered

The composition must be between five (5) and fifteen (15) minutes in duration

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP:

Copy of passport or birth certificate

INSTRUMENTATION:

maximum: 

2 fl [1.2/pic] , 2 ob [ 1.2/eh], 2 cl [1.2/bcl], 2 bsn [1.2/cbn], 4 hn, 2 tp, timp +1, pf/cel, str

PRIZE:

Named SCSO Composer of the Year

One-Thousand US dollars ($1,000.00) 

Premiere performance by the SCSO (November 18, 2023)

SCORE/RECORDING/BIO:

One (1) score in PDF format to be emailed to the address below

Recording is required, MIDI is acceptable

Short bio in PDF format (150 words max) emailed with score and entry fee

 

CHECKLIST:

Email the following to siouxcitysymphony@gmail.com:

___ One (1) computer-generated score in PDF format

___ Recording of piece – MIDI is acceptable

___ A brief description of the piece submitted                   

___ Short composer bio (150 words max) in PDF format

___ Curriculum Vitae including current address, telephone number, and email address

___ Proof of US Citizenship (scan)

All materials are to be electronically submitted to siouxcitysymphony@gmail.com
(Submission Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2023)

___ Entry Fee –  Twenty-Five US dollars ($25.00) (payable to the SCSO via PayPal.com)

***Submitted compositions that do not conform to these guidelines cannot be considered for the inclusion of this Call for Scores. 

***The decision of the selection panel is final and also reserves the right not to award a prize in a given year. 

***Honorable Mention will be awarded at the discretion of the selection panel.

 

Click here to download printable PDF

 

PAST COMPOSER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

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Plan Your Visit

 

There’s a lot to think about when you’re planning a visit to one of our live performances at the Orpheum. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy information for you—all in one place!

  • scso-plan-your-visit-before
    Before You Get Here
    There's a ton to do in Downtown Sioux City before you get to the Orpheum. Dinner? Drinks? We've got your covered.

  • scso-plan-your-visit-getting
    Getting Here
    The Orpheum Theatre is in Downtown Sioux City on Pierce Street. Get a map, directions and learn where to park.

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    While You're Here
    What's the proper attire for an SCSO performance? What about clapping and etiquette? Don't worry! We've got you covered.