CALL FOR WORKS – COMPETITION


The Austrian section of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) and the Jeunesse Chamber Choir Vienna would like to announce a composition competition for the creation of new works for soloistic vocal ensemble. The aim of the competition is to draw the attention of composers to vocal music, to enrich the genre of vocal composition, to stimulate experimental vocal thinking and to achieve sustained support for the extension of the repertoire in this field.

TERMS AND RULES OF PARTICIPATION

The competition is open to composers of any nationality and without age limit. Nevertheless the participants have to be member of a section of the ISCM (International Society for Contemporary Music, see www.iscm.org or www.ignm.at) or have to include an application for membership to one of the sections of ISCM.

PROCEDURE

The competition is divided into three categories: “Nonsense”, “vocal theatre” and “non liturgic sacred vocal music”. (Details see below).

The application should consist of
• an already existing work of the applicant using at least one vocal voice,
• a concept/sketch of the planned work in the chosen category of the competition AND/OR a completely elaborated section of the planned work with a length of approx. 2 minutes.
• The new work must not be already performed or published.

The application has also to include the contact details of the applicant and a proof of membership in one of the sections of ISCM, or an application for membership to the ISCM (if the applicant is not already member).

The dead line for the application is 15th of November 2010. (Postmark)

Based on the submissions, the jury (see below) will issue composition commissions from which each applicant will receive at most one commission.

The composers will get the possibility to rehearse, verify and modify their work in the frame of a workshop.

The finished works will be performed in a festive concert and will also be included in the repertoire of the Jeunesse Chamber Choir Vienna and published on a CD.

CATEGORIES

The competition is divided into three categories:

“Nonsense”
5 to 8 short movements with a duration of ½ – 1 minute each.
Text: Nonsense, syllable language, phonemes, sounds, noises. At first glance the text should not make any sense.
2 commissions will be issued in this category.

“Vocal Theatre”
Duration: 8 – 15 minutes.
Texts should be according to the genre. A scenic concept has to be an integral component of the work. Nevertheless it has to be emphasized that for the scenic concept a certain flexibility in the use of the space would be an advantage, so that the work can be performed in different venues easily.
Stage props may be used, as long as singers can operate them.
3 commissions will be issued in this category.

“Non Liturgic Sacred Vocal Music”
The duration of the work should be between 4 and 8 minutes.
Texts should deal with transcendental and spiritual topics, but without being tied at all to any
liturgical purpose.
2 commissions will be issued in this category.

STRUCTURE OF CHOIR

• Die Besetzung des Wiener Jeunesse Kammerchores ist wie folgt: SSSS-AAAA-TTTT-BBBB.
• Die Stimmen müssen grundsätzlich solistisch eingesetzt werden (chorischer Einsatz muss ein besonderes musikalisches Ausdrucksmittel bleiben.
• Elektronik ist als Zuspielband generell möglich (2 Kanäle); für den Einsatz von Live-Elektronik gelten folgende Regeln: Patch mitsamt Bedienungsanleitung muss mit der Partitur mitgeschickt werden, eine Direktabnahme der einzelnen Stimmen mit Mikrophonen ist nicht möglich. Auf jeden Fall muss die elektronische Stimme in der Partitur Cue-mäßig notiert sein.
• In der Kategorie Vokaltheater sind zusätzlich Requisiten erlaubt, sofern die InterpretInnen sie bedienen können (siehe oben).

TIME TABLE

Deadline for applications: 15th Nov. 2010 (postmark)
Notice of commissions: December 2010
First deadline for delivery of scores (complete scores, modifications still possible) 15th March 2011
Workshop: 11th to 15th April 2011
Second deadline for the delivery of scores (including modifications, corrections): 30th April 2011
Rehearsals, Performances: Mai 2011

THE COMMISSIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• a honorary of 600 € per composition
• a guaranteed performance of the work in the frame of the festive concert in May 2011
• CD recording and publishing of the work by ISCM Section Austria
• inclusion of the work in the repertoire of the Jeunesse Chamber Choir Vienna

MEMBERS OF JURY

• Vykintas Baltakas
• Renate Burtscher
• Ajtony Csaba
• Chaya Czernowin
• Ingrun Fussenegger
• Bruno Strobl

Applications should be sent to the following address:
IGNM Österreich
Ungargasse 11/12
1030 Wien
AUSTRIA