EIGHTH YOUNG COMPOSERS' CONTEST

$1,000 CASH AWARD

As part of its commitment to "innovative programming and creative educational outreach that promotes young artists," Cantate Chamber Singers announces its Eighth biennial Young Composers' Contest for residents of the US and Canada 35 years old or younger.

CONTEST GUIDELINES - preliminary announcement as of July 31, 2010

1. The contest is limited to residents of the United States and Canada not older than 35 years at the time of entry submission.

2. Only one work per composer will be accepted.

3. Entries shall be scored for mixed choir, a cappella or with keyboard accompaniment. Text choice of two Kandinsky poems: Song or Later (English text on www.Cantate.org (coming soon)). Entries must be ten minutes or less in length.

4. Compositions must be received not later than 5:00 p.m., July 1st, 2011. Compositions may not be faxed or sent by e-mail. The winner will be notified in October 2011.

5. Four clearly reproduced copies of the entries must be submitted for judging. Copies not readable will be eliminated from the contest and the composer so notified.

6. Composition copies will be returned only if sufficient postage accompanies a self- addressed, stamped envelope. Applicants are strongly urged to retain a copy of the entry, as Cantate cannot be responsible for material lost in transit.

7. Entries must be clearly identified as to title and source of text. The composer's name must not appear on the copies. A pseudonym shall be clearly printed on the manuscript and on the Application Form. Compositions are to remain anonymous to the judges.

8. Cantate Chamber Singers claims the right for first performance; therefore, compositions must be new works, never before performed in any form in public, outside a studio or classroom in an academic forum or workshop setting. Entries may have been previously submitted in other contests, providing that no part of the composition has been a prize-winning entry.

9. Performance of the prize-winning piece is offered during the 2011-2012 season; However, Cantate reserves the right to award the prize without performance. It also reserves the right to make no award, if in the opinion of the judges, the compositions submitted do not meet standards of excellence.

10. It is the responsibility of the composer to secure permission to use texts.