new music

The University of Massachusetts Department of Music and Dance announces:

The First Five College Composition Contest & Festival of New Music (September 11 to September 13 2009)

Call for Scores:

– Composers under the age of thirty-five are invited to submit compositions for consideration to the First Five College Composition Contest. Instrumentation should consist of any of Flute (alto and piccolo), Clarinet (Bass Clarinet), Violin, Violoncello, Piano and Percussion. Works that employ live performance with electronics and works that involve projected visual media are acceptable.

– Works composed before September 1, 2006 will not be considered.

– The due date for scores is March 29, 2009. Only one score per applicant is allowed.

– At the time of the application composers should submit one score and a set of performance materials. Compact disc recordings, if available may also be submitted are not required. A cover sheet with your name, address, telephone and email address and the title of your composition is required.

– Please include a self-addressed envelope with proper postage if you wish your material to be returned.

– Only one winner will be chosen.

– A $35 check made payable to the Department of Music and Dance, UMass Amherst must accompany all applications.

– Address all submissions to:
Prof. Salvatore Macchia
Five College New Music Festival
Department of Music and Dance
The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst MA, 01002

The winner will receive a cash award of $1000 (one thousand) and his or her piece will be presented as part of an “Emerging Composers Concert” that will be held on Saturday September 12, 2009.

Website: www.5cnmf.com

NEW YORK (AFP) — US composer Elliott Carter, one of the USA’s greatest living artists, celebrated his 100th birthday Thursday.

Major concerts were planned to mark the centenary in New York, London and Paris, according to the website www.carter100.com.

Described by 20th century classical music giant Aaron Copland as “one of America’s most distinguished creative artists in any field,” Carter has been a major force for five decades.

In 1960 he won the first of two Pulitzer prizes with his groundbreaking String Quartet Number Two.

His 1961 Double Concerto for harpsichord, piano and two chamber orchestras and his 1967 Piano Concerto were described by Russian genius Igor Stravinsky as “masterpieces.”

But Carter, who has been awarded Germany’s Ernst von Siemens Music Prize and France’s Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres,” never rested on his laurels.

He composed no fewer than nine pieces in 2007 and is scheduled to have written another seven by the end of this year.