Composition Contest Regulations 2022
Composition Contest Regulations 2022
Composition Contest Regulations 2022
Introduction
• The III Bi-Annual WASBE International Composition Contest is an open competition for
composers around the world.
• The primary goal is to encourage composers to write original works of high artistic merit
specifically for wind band instrumentation
• WASBE will promote, through its worldwide membership, compositions selected as
finalists in all three categories listed below.
• The International Composition Contest is an opportunity for WASBE to help better
connect composers, conductors, and performers throughout the world.
Objectives
• Encourage composers to write new music for winds of high artistic merit;
• Create a closer connection between composers and conductors; and
• Promote a better understanding and appreciation for different cultures and traditions.
Requirements
• Submitted pieces must be original and unpublished.
• If submitted piece is chosen as a finalist, it must remain unpublished for one additional
year. During the additional year, WASBE will promote the work to its membership at a
reduced price to encourage more performances throughout the world.
• The composer is free to write any type of composition, according to categories below.
• Submitted compositions may have participated in other contests but may not have
received first prize.
• Compositions may be multi-movement as long as the complete work does not exceed
length requirements listed in each category below.
• Submissions must have a separate written note of a maximum of 30 lines where
composer explains the musical material used, general ideas about the work, and grade
level/category.
• All scores MUST be submitted with only the title of the composition for the jury.
Scores with composer’s, name or other distinguishing labels or remarks, will be
disqualified.
• Composers must understand how to accurately submit pieces for the category and follow
the guidelines for works of Serious Artistic Merit outlined below.
Resolution
• Entering the competition means that each participant agrees to all procedures and rules.
• Scores not fulfilling requirements defined by these rules will not be accepted.
• Compositions selected as finalists must prepare and submit all performance materials in
PDF Format to Markus Mauderer at the competition email address by January 30, 2022.
• The Organizing Committee reserves the right to make necessary changes in the course of
the competition if unexpected circumstances or random incidents occur, or if it is
impossible to continue the competition in the established course of action.
• The Organizing Committee reserves the right to process personal data of participants in
connection with the organization of the competition.
• The contest is not responsible for any mistakes or misprints of the score and/or parts of
the submitted compositions.
Jury
• The Jury will consist of Members selected from of the WASBE Executive Board, former
WASBE presidents, and a group of highly qualified professionals.
• The WASBE President and Executive Director will oversee the procedures and will help
ensure the autonomy of the voting process.
• Additional Jury members will be added between the preliminary and finals rounds
utilizing the original jurors form the preliminary and adding professional musicians,
conductors, and/or conductors for the finals portion.
• All decisions of the Jury are final and unappealable.
III WASBE International Composition Contest
Prizes
As a principal goal of this contest is to promote new repertoire of high artistic merit for the
wind band, the following rewards will be given to finalists and winning composition:
Piccolo Trumpet 1
Flute 1 Trumpet 2
Flute 2 Trumpet 3
Oboe 1 Horn 1
Oboe 2 Horn 2
English Horn Horn 3
Eb Clarinet Horn 4
Clarinet 1 Trombone 1
Clarinet 2 Trombone 2
Bass Clarinet Bass Trombone
Bassoon 1 Tuba
Bassoon 2 Piano
Contra Bassoon Harp
Percussion (up to 6 players) Timpani plus additional percussion
III WASBE International Composition Contest
Guidelines for Works of Serious Artistic Merit as Established by Acton Ostling Jr. ,1978
An Evaluation of Compositions for Wind Band According to Specific Criteria of Serious Artistic
Merit
1. The composition has form—not ‘a form’ but form—and reflects a proper balance between
repetition and contrast.
2. The composition reflects shape and design, and creates the impression of conscious choice and
judicious arrangement on the part of the composer.
5. The route through which the composition travels in initiating its musical tendencies and
probable musical goals is not completely direct and obvious.
6. The composition is consistent in its quality throughout its length and in its various sections.
7. The composition is consistent in its style, reflecting a complete grasp of technical details,
clearly conceived ideas, and avoids lapses into trivial, futile, or unsuitable passages.
8. The composition reflects ingenuity in its development, given the stylistic context in which it
exists.
10. The composition reflects a musical validity which transcends factors of historical importance,
or factors of pedagogical usefulness.
American Band College Music Grading Chart
Grade 1 2 3 4 5
Meter Simple: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c , C 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c, C, 6/8 (easy 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c , C, 6/8, 9/8. Add: 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, asymmetrical Any meter or combination of
compound) easy changing/asymmetrical meter (5/8, 7/8), changing meter meter.
One to three flats None to four flats One sharp to six flats Any key
Key Signature (Key of C-end of year)
None to five flats
Tempo Andante–Moderato (72-120) Andante-Allegro (72-132) Largo-Allegro (56-144) Largo-Presto (44-168) Largo-Prestissimo (44-208)
ritard, accel. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall.
w ˙. ˙ œ œ œ.
J
As in Grade 1 plus simple 16th All values in duple excluding All values in duple Complex duple and compound
Note/Rest Value note patterns and triplets complex syncopation plus easy All values in compound rhythms
compound rhythms.
Simple; mostly unison rhythm Add simple syncopation & well- Basic duple and triple syncopa- All rhythms except complex All rhythms
Rhythm (dotted rhythm end of year) prepared dotted rhythms. More tion, dotted rhythms. compound or complex 16th
use of non-unison rhythms. note syncopation.
None Simple trills and single grace Trills with entry or exit grace Trills, turns, mordents Trills, turns, mordents
Ornaments notes. notes, double or triple grace
note figures.
Limited color combinations Independent contrapuntal Solos (fl, cl, sax, tpt, bar) Full range of instrumentation, Full range of instrumentation,
Scoring (clar-tpt, sax-tpt) Very limited lines, limited exposed parts, 1 Exposed woodwind or brass. exposed parts for any instrument. exposed parts for any instrument,
part division within sections (possibly 2) horn parts. 2-part horns. mutiple solo/contrapuntal lines.
Pitched: bells. Non-pitched: Add: Pitched: chimes, xylo- All common non-pitched All instruments. Wide range of All instruments. Wide range
triangle, tambourine, cymbals, phone. Non-pitched: timpani. special effects. of special effects with diverse
Percussion Usage woodblock, snare, bass drum. Special effects on cymbals.
Latin and traditional percus-
sion. Limit range of special requirements for each mem-
Limited use of special effects.
˙
effects. ber of section.
˙ w ˙ b˙ ˙
Flute
Whole notes indicate end-
˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
b˙ ˙ 5 5
Oboe ˙ b˙ b˙ b˙ b˙
w ˙ ˙ b˙ b˙
Bassoon ˙ 3 3
˙ ˙ b˙ b˙ b˙
Whole notes indicate end-
˙ w ˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
w
Clarinet b˙
w ˙ ˙
Whole notes indicate end-
˙ ˙ ˙
˙ w ˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
w
b˙
9
Alto/Bass Clarinet
Whole notes indicate end-
w ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
w ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
Saxophones ˙
Whole notes indicate end- ˙ ˙ ˙ b˙ ˙ b˙
˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
Trumpet ˙ w
Whole notes indicate end-
b˙ ˙ # #˙ #˙ #˙
˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
Horn ˙ bw ?
w ˙ ˙ ˙ &
˙ ˙
Whole notes indicate end-
˙ ˙
of-year, advanced range.
˙ b˙ b˙
Trombone/Baritone b˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
˙ ˙ ˙ b˙
˙
Tuba
Revised 3/1/00
b˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙