In past years, OBAF has dictated the format for compositions (2008-March, 2009-Hymn). This year’s composition contest will accept pieces written for traditional British-style brass band instrumentation, of any format with a performance length of 3-5 minutes. Pieces should have been completed after December 1, 2009 and not yet performed or recorded.

Entries should be submitted with complete score and parts as either a .pdf (letter not A4 format), or .sib file to ohiobrassarts@gmail.com no later than 5pm EST on Friday, March 20, 2010. If some other format is needed, please contact the festival organizers at the same e-mail address.

The OBAF committee “sincerely apologize about the short notice, but it has taken us some time sort out the format changes, which we believe will benefit all entrants.”

Up to ten finalists’ compositions will be performed at the Friday evening portion of the Ohio Brass Arts Festival (April 2, 2010) by the Repertoire Band. The winning piece will receive a cash prize of $200 (US) and honorable mentions for several other pieces will be recognized. The winning piece will not be tied into a publishing contract. These changes are based on feedback received by composers over the past several years.

The purpose of the contest has always been to encourage new pieces for the brass band genre that are accessible for most bands to play. The format and publishing changes should allow for greater variety of entrants, as well as greater exposure for their pieces, as the Repertoire band should be able perform and record (for the composers) more than just the three finalists, as has been the case in past years.

Past winners have included:
2009 — “American Landscape” – Benjamin Tubb
2008 — “Battle Axe” — Darrol Barry

The 2010 Ohio Brass Arts Festival will take place April 2-3 at Weigel Hall, The Ohio State University. Additional festival information can be found at www.ohiobrassbands.com or Facebook as the event “2010 Ohio Brass Arts Festival.”