The 2012 Humbolt State University Brass Chamber Music Workshop Composition Contest, now in its ninth year, has received entries from dozens of composers from different backgrounds, experience levels and countries from around the world.

Quality and diversity

The California University spokesperson, John Monroe told 4BR that the quality and diversity of contest submissions has been a boon to the workshop’s most important resource, its music library, although they are still looking for more entrants from the home of brass music making in the UK to try and win their $2000 prize.

Prizes

He told 4BR: "Each year we run a brass chamber music composition contest focused on expanding our large library with new, high-quality music for brass ensembles. A specific ensemble formation is chosen each year and significant cash prizes are awarded to the winners.

International participation is critical to the success of the contest and a number of prizes have been won by Europeans over the years."

With such a wonderful tradition of brass music making in the UK, it would be great to receive entries from composers who are specialists in the genreJohn Monroe, Humbolt University, USA

Deadline

The deadline for contest submissions is February 1, 2012, and John is hoping that the competition will now attract new music from composers in the UK.

"With such a wonderful tradition of brass music making in the UK, it would be great to receive entries from composers who are specialists in the genre."

The Humboldt State University in Arcata, California houses thousands of works written expressly for brass.

Participants ranging in skill from amateur to professional attend the workshop year after year to meet like-minded chamber musicians and be exposed to new material. The composition contest is an important source of new music for the Workshop.

Music Library

All competition entries are kept in the music library and played by the participants during the Workshop. A publication contract may be offered in addition to the cash prizes.

More information:

Contest particulars, including submission directions and guidelines are available on the web at: http://www.humboldt.edu/brass/compcontest.html

The contest is seeking compositions for small mixed trios and quartets this year.

Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2012.