Composition Contest: $10,000 Prize

The fifth annual Robert Helps Composition Competition and Festival will take place in February 2010, celebrating not only the life and legacy of the late pianist-composer, but also the contributions of leading composers, historians, theorists and musical thinkers on the American musical scene.

The festival emphasizes Robert Helps’ passion for educating emerging generations of musicians, and focuses on interaction between students and master figures in modern American music performance and thought.

Guidelines for 2010 Competition: 
Instrumentation: Voice (tenor) and Piano (with optional additional instrument)

Duration: 10-20 minutes.

Limitations: No prepared piano, however playing inside the piano is acceptable.

Prize:  $10,000 will be awarded to the composer of the winning composition

Performance: The winning composition will be performed in Tampa during February 2010 as a focal event of the 2010 Robert Helps Festival. The winner of the Robert Helps Prize shall arrange to be present at the performance.

Originality:  The work must be an original unpublished composition. The copyrights of the text need to be secured

Deadline: Scores and application materials must be received on or before October 1, 2009. Results will be announced on November 1, 2009.

Age restriction: Only applicants who will not have reached the age of 36 by February 14, 2010, will be considered.

How to apply: 
All materials must be anonymous and marked only with a pseudonym of the composer’s choice.

Materials that have not had all identifiable markings removed will not be accepted.  The composer’s pseudonym and the title of the composition must be marked on each score and recording.

Submit:
1) Three copies of full score
2) Recordings will be accepted, but are not required (send either MIDI or rehearsal recordings, but in the format of audio CD only—no cassettes, mp3s or data discs)
3) A copy of birth certificate or passport indicating that the applicant shall not have reached the age of 36 by February 14, 2010
4) Application fee of $50 U.S. (money order/bank check payable to “USF Foundation”)
5) The application form (print legibly)

Mail materials to this address:
Robert Helps Prize
Attn.: Scott Kluksdahl
School of Music, FAH 110
College of Visual & Performing Arts
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620-7350 

One of the three submitted copies will be retained and placed in the Robert Helps Archives of the University of South Florida Library Special Collections.  An appropriately stamped return package or envelope will ensure the return of both remaining scores upon conclusion of the adjudication.  For more info, contact: Scott Kluksdahl at [email protected].

Download Brochure and Application
Visit Helps Prize Website