Announcing the

Experiencing Villa Lobos
Percussion Ensemble Composition Competition

Sponsored by the VCU Department of Music

Official Contest Rules:

1. VCU Department of Music is announcing the Experiencing Villa Lobos Composition Competition. This is a competition to award one work with a cash prize and world premiere at the Experiencing Villa Lobos Festival March 27 – 29, 2008. All works must be submitted for the VCU Percussion Ensemble directed by Mr. Kristopher Keeton. Each entry must have a component of Brazilian Folk Music as part of the composition. The work should be 6 – 10 minutes in length and for 4 – 6 players.
2. Each entry must have a ONE page document to list the instruments for each player and describes the use and incorporation of Brazilian Folk Music into the work. This component of Brazilian Folk Music does not necessarily require the use of Brazilian folk instruments. It may include, but not limited to, rhythms, forms, and/or melodies that are a part of the music.
3. Inquires about non-western percussion instruments can be directed to Mr. Keeton at kskeeton@vcu.edu.
4. Each entry must be accompanied by a $10 submission fee for handling and processing entries. Make checks payable to VCU Department of Music.
5. The competition will be determined by a contest committee of Mr. Kristopher Keeton, Assistant Professor of Percussion; Michael Boyd, Instructor of Percussion; James Wiznerowicz, Coordinator of Musicianship Studies; and Matthew Duvall, percussionist of eighth blackbird. The decision of the committee is final. No correspondence may be entered regarding status or decisions. If the committee determines that no submissions are meritorious, a “no prize” decision will be rendered.
6. The winning composition will receive a cash prize of $800 and the composer will receive a travel stipend of $200 to attend the premiere.
7. Entries must be original and unpublished works written for this competition.
8. The rights to publication for the winning composition remain with the composer.
9. A recording of the work is encouraged but not required for submission. Synthesized recordings will be accepted, but must be submitted in a standard CDDA format.
10. The composer’s name may NOT appear on the score, on the parts, or any submitted recordings. Any entry received with the composer’s name on the score, parts, or submitted recording will not be accepted for the competition. A sealed envelope which contains the composer’s name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number should have the title of the work on the front and fastened securely to the inside cover of the score.
11. All entries must be mailed as hardcopies; no electronic versions of the score will be accepted. Contestants are advised to send all entries by registered or insured mail. Virginia Commonwealth University, the VCU Department of Music, and/or the VCU Percussion Ensemble are not responsible for postal delivery errors.
    
    Entries should be mailed to:
    
    Experiencing Villa Lobos at VCU
    c/o James Wiznerowicz
    Virginia Commonwealth University
    922 Park Ave.
    P.O. Box 842004
    Richmond, Virginia 23284-2004
    
12. Submitted material becomes the property of the VCU Percussion Ensemble and will not be returned to the composer. However it may be considered for a future non-awarded performance.
13. This is an equal opportunity contest; open to anyone regardless of color, gender, age, national origin, and religious belief.

Entries must be postmarked by November 1 st, 2007

Results will be posted via the “Experiencing Villa-Lobos” web site by December 1 st, 2007

Contest winner will be notified via telephone prior to the web site posting.

Experiencing Villa Lobos Composition Competition Checklist:

• Score
• Parts
• One-page description of incorporating Brazilian Folk Music
• Sealed envelope with contact information inside and title of work on front