David R. Davidson Composition Contest

AGEHR announces the David R. Davidson Composition Contest.

The David R. Davidson Composition Fund was created in October, 2008, to encourage the composition of original works for advanced handbell ensembles. AGEHR has announced a composition contest to select works that fulfill this mission. Works chosen for this award will illustrate the high musical standards embodied by Maestro David Davidson. If you would like to support this fund with your tax-deductible contribution, follow this link or contact the AGEHR National Office.

Prize: $1,500 plus travel to Distinctly Bronze 2010

Timeline:

1. Compositions must be received by Jennifer Cauhorn, AGEHR executive director, at e-mail address jcauhorn@agehr.org no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on February 1, 2010.
2. Compositions will be judged by an anonymous committee appointed by the executive director.
3. The winning composition will be published by AGEHR, Inc.
4. Contest results will be known and the winner notified by April 1, 2010.
5. The composition will be available for purchase by June 1, 2010.
6. The composition will be rung at Distinctly Bronze East in New Bern, North Carolina in October, 2010.
7. The composer of the winning composition will receive a cash prize of $1,500 plus transportation to New Bern and two nights lodging during Distinctly Bronze so they can be present for the first performance of the piece.

Contest Parameters:

1. Entries must be original, idiomatic handbell compositions, not based on any other tune, whether public domain or not, and are to written for a standard handbell choir.
2. Compositions must be written for either 3 octaves of bells with optional notes for 7 octaves, or 5 octaves of bells with optional notes for 7 octaves.
3. Composition may include additional, optional instruments.
4. Compositions not meeting these guidelines will not be considered.
5. If no entry is deemed worthy, no winner will be declared.
6. As per Maestro Davidson’s particular vision for this award, preference will be given to works submitted by young and/or new composers.
7. AGEHR reserves the right to determine a suitable dedication line, if any, upon publication.

Contest Entry Instructions:

1. The composer shall submit the score in PDF format.
2. Composers name should not be on the submitted score.
3. Notation and Handbells/Handchimes Used Chart(s) must follow AGEHR guidelines.
4. The composer shall submit a resume with the following information:
   • Full name
   • Mailing Address
   • E-mail address
   • Daytime phone number
   • Birth date including year
   • A list of published compositions and the genre/instrument for which they were written
   • A brief description of musical & composition training and education
5. Score and Resume must be submitted as two separate files.
6. Entries may not be submitted to any other composition contest or publisher while being considered for this contest.
7. AGEHR reserves first performance rights in New Bern, North Carolina, in October 2010.
8. The winning composition may not be performed in any service, concert, or festival prior to this time with the exception of the composer’s personal use with his/her own bell choir.
9. Members of the Davidson Composition Fund Committee may not submit entries to the contest.

Please direct any questions regarding the contest or these instructions to Jennifer Cauhorn, Executive Director