Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize
Application Deadline: June 30, 2010 (receipt)
The School of Music of the University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the 2010 Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize, a National Competition for New Works for Mixed Chorus.
The generosity, vision and abiding interest in music as a living art on the part of Craig and Janet Swan have come together in the establishment of an annual competition for music for large ensembles, the Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize. This competition, underwritten by the Swans, is administered by the School of Music at the University of Minnesota, where Dr. Swan served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
The competition is held in a continuing three-year cycle of music for Chorus, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra in rotation.
2009 Orchestra: prize of $2,500Â
2010Â Chorus: prize of $1,500Â
2011Â Wind Ensemble: prize of $2,000Â
The single prize-winning work will receive a monetary award, and its world premiere by the appropriate large ensemble of the School of Music University Singers. The prize- winning work will be announced in September 2010 and will be awarded publicly at the time of the premiere performance in Spring 2011. In addition, the School of Music will invite the composer of the winning work to the Twin Cities campus for rehearsals, composer master class, and to be present at the premiere performance.
 Contest Guidelines and Application Form are available at:
 http://www.music.umn.edu/enscomp/competitions.php
 Guidelines The Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize for 2010 is for music for Mixed Chorus:
- Ensemble – Chorus SATB, either a cappella or with piano accompaniment. Recommended vocal ranges should not exceed a low E for basses through high B for sopranos.
- Performance time – Between 6 – 8 minutes in length.
- Text – May be sacred or secular. Any language is acceptable. If the text for the submitted piece is not English, a literal English translation must accompany the entry; and if the language is not Latin, Hebrew or one of the current European languages, a pronunciation guide/transliteration is also required. For works using text under copyright, submission must include a copy of the letter granting the composer permission to use the copyrighted text, and specifying the terms of use.Other specifications
- Inclusion of occasional choral soli is acceptable, as is divisi up to SSAATTBB. A movement or movements from a larger work constitutes an eligible submission.
- Electronic manipulation of live sounds or a part for tape is permissible.
- Only one composition per composer may be submitted.
- For the prize-winning composition: (1) Official wording concerning this prize is to be incorporated on all performance materials and/or recordings published and/or circulated following the date of the prize announcement. (2) The composer will provide three copies of the score to the University of Minnesota School of Music at no charge, for archival and performance purposes. One of these (unbound) will be used as a copymaster for the conductor and the choral ensemble.
- The composer of the winning piece retains copyright. Copies of the scores used for the premiere performance will remain the property of the University of Minnesota Choral Library.
 Deadlines
- Materials must arrive at the University of Minnesota School of Music by Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Entries received after June 30, 2010 will be deemed ineligible.
- The prize-winning composition will be announced in September of 2010.
- The Swan Prize will be awarded on the occasion of the world premiere performance, during the 2010–2011 school year.
 Eligibility
- This is a national competition open to composers currently residing in the United States but is not restricted to American citizens.
- Eligible applicants shall be composers in the earlier stages of their careers who have not yet established national recognition, as evidenced in the form of a commercial recording or commercial publication of their music. Composers may be deemed to be eligible even if they have been the recipient of commissions and other prizes/awards, so long as they have not yet received commercial recording or publication of their music.
- Eligibility will be established via required supporting materials consisting of two elements: (1) a one-page résumé detailing the applicant’s career accomplishments in brief along with a list of representative works; and (2) if the applicant has studied music at an institution of higher education, a transcript from the most recent term of study must also be submitted.
 Entries
- Eligible entries: Mixed Chorus works that are unperformed at the time of entry and written by composers who meet all eligibility requirements.
- All entries should be unattributed (anonymous). The composer’s name may not appear on any materials submitted, except for the application form (see below), and the letter of permission to use a copyrighted text, if needed. Mark all scores, translations, and (optional) recordings with a single identifying mark or pseudonym.
- Incomplete or illegible entries will not be reviewed.
- Entries without SASE become the property of the University of Minnesota.
- Entries shall consist of the following elements:
 Required Materials
- Three copies of the score of the composition for mixed chorus. These may be either in computerized notation or in a clear manuscript hand, but must be clear, legible, proofread and complete. Score title page should contain only the following information: composition title; specific performing forces; duration; date of composition; and pseudonym.
- A cappella scores must include a piano reduction of the choral parts.
- Sealed envelope containing the completed application form, and a letter of permission to use a copyrighted text, if needed. On the outside of the envelope write the title of the composition, and the identifying mark or pseudonym.
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of submitted materials.
- All entries must have a written score, and that score must be submitted in printed or photocopied version. No un-notated submissions, nor submissions by fax or via Internet-only communication.
 Optional Materials
- A MIDI realization, recording of non-concert reading session, or a piano play- through of the composition.
 Application materials
- Download a pdf of the application.Â
- Entries should be sent to arrive before June 30, 2010.
 Send to:
Craig and Janet Swan Composer PrizeÂ
Attn: Lisa MarshallÂ
University of Minnesota School of MusicÂ
200 Ferguson HallÂ
2106 Fourth Street SouthÂ
Minneapolis, MN 55455
 For questions about the Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize, contact: Lisa Marshall Communications Manager e-mail: [email protected]
