The 2011 Composition Contest theme is any interesting one: “Musical Instruments.” The January Piano Explorer says this about the contest:
Every instrument has a different sound and character. Some are deep and serious, while others are bright and sparkly. Some are perfect for quick-moving, flashy passages, and some are best for slow bass lines.
Pick an instrument and write a piece that describes the instrument you chose. Your piece must be written for piano, but try to make the piano sound like the instrument you picked. On the back of your music, write a few sentences to explain how the music depicts the instrument.
Here are some tips provided from the magazine and from me:
- Listen to some music played by the instrument to get to know its sound. (YouTube is good for this.)
- Consider the range of the instrument. Does it play high notes or low notes? What is the lowest and highest note it can play?
- How loud or soft does the instrument play? This can set the dynamics for your piece.
- You can choose any instrument, not just those found in orchestras. Think about instruments used in folk music or in different parts of the world.
- Think about how the instrument makes its sound: Can it be plucked (staccato)? Is its sound made by blowing (consider some breathing points), a bow, hitting, etc.?
Here are the rules:
- You or your teacher must subscribe to Piano Explorer.
- Only solo piano music will be considered.
- Write your name, age, address, phone number, and teacher’s name on the back of the music.
- All submissions must be postmarked or faxed by the deadline: March 15, 2011.
- All compositions must be written by students. (Parents and teacher may help write down the notes.)
- do not quote other pieces of music in your compositions.
- Keep a copy of the music for yourself.
- Judging is based on creativity, musical ideas, and how well the music applies the contest theme.
Good luck students!
