CAPTA Composition Competition Information and Rules
The competition is open to all students (at their teacher’s discretion) and teachers may enter up to five (5) students from any combination of entry levels. Each student composes and submits a notated piano solo, a recording of him- or herself performing the composition, and a registration form along with personal statement, at the February business meeting. Pieces are evaluated on basis of creativity, musical merit, neatness of notation, rhythmic accuracy, form/style, melodic and harmonic structure, details, and how accurately the recording reflects the notation as well as the students’ stated intentions.
All entrants to the Composition Competition must perform their composition from memory at the Composition Showcase Recital (formerly known as the Composition Honors Recital). First and second place winners in each division will receive special recognition.
There are three entry levels: Levels A, B, and C. See document “Composition Competition Levels of Entry” for more information.
General Rules of the Competition:
1) Only students of qualified CAPTA teachers may enter. The teacher may enter up to 5 students from any combination of entry levels. An entry fee of $10.00 will be required from all entrants.
2) Composition entrants must submit: one (1) photocopy of their notated piece, a tape or CD recording of their piece in which they are the performer, the entry fee, the evaluation form, and the entry form with personal statement. All paperwork, scores, and recordings must be submitted to the composition competitioncommittee chairperson by the February meeting. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.
3) There are three levels of entry: Levels A, B, and C.
4) Students may submit only one piece, composed for solo piano.
5) First place winners in each level may not compete again at that level.
6) Two prizes will be awarded in each level, with the amount of the award to be determined each year. (Exception: if the judge deems not to award superior performances in any level, no awards will be given.)
7) All Composition Competition participants will perform their composition by memory at the Composition Showcase Recital.
8) Students are required to use only the piano for recording and performing his or her composition.
9) Compositions must be the students’ own works. Arrangements of existing compositions will not be allowed. Teachers should provide adequate assistance to participants during the composition process. The level of assistance should correspond to that given a student preparing for a solo recital or competition. Teachers who would like to consult outside resources are encouraged to consider The Young Composer’s Notebook by Frances Balodis (Frederick Harris Music); Music by Me by Kevin Olson and Wynn-Anne Rossi (FJH); Composition for Young Musicians 8-12 by Jennifer Wilson (Alfred); and materials by Lee Evans and Martha Baker.
10) The student must hand-write the composition, neatly and legibly, with correct notation. No stencils may be used, but a ruler is recommended for all straight lines. If desired, the student may submit a computer-generated score in addition to the hand-written score; however, in this case the student must submit a signed honor statement to the effect that the handwritten score was completed prior to the computer-generated score. The computer-generated score will not be judged. The judge may consult the computer-generated score but comments and evaluations will be made regarding the hand-written score only.
11) Compositions must be submitted on manuscript paper no smaller than 8 ½ by 11 inches.
12) Students must submit an audio recording (tape or CD) of their composition.
· On the recording, the student must be the performer of the piece.
· Wait 10 seconds after pressing “record” to eliminate the “blank space” at the beginning of the cassette or CD.
· Use good quality cassette (ex.: TDK) or CD (ex.: Verbatim).
· Listen to the recording. Make sure it reflects the notated composition. Make sure the piece in its entirety is on the cassette or CD.
· Only the composition being submitted should be on the recording. Only one composition per recording.
· Cassettes should be cued to play on Side “A.”.
· Cassettes and CD’s must be labeled with student’s name, level of entry, and title of composition.
13) All compositions should be submitted in the form of photocopies to avoid loss of originals and to allow the judge to make comments directly on the score. All scores should have bar numbers at the beginning of each line. It is recommended that students skip a staff between notation of each grand staff, to achieve a neater score.
14) Each individual composition and recording should be submitted in a separate envelope with student’s name, level of entry, title of composition, and teacher’s name written on the outside. The envelope should also contain the student’s entry form, personal statement, and evaluation form.
15) Judges for the Composition Competition may not adjudicate two years in a row.
16) Submitted scores and recordings will be returned to teachers at the April meeting or at the Composition Showcase Recital.
Students’ notated pieces and recordings will be evaluated on the following:
1) Notation: stem direction, neatness of score (line notes distinguishable from space notes), clarity and completeness of notation and all markings, etc.
2) Rhythmic Accuracy: Do the notes line up correctly? Does the meter indicated suit the notated rhythm? Are pick-up notes correctly notated? Is the number of beats per measure correct? Etc.
3) Form. Students should be encouraged to compose using musical form. For pieces using 20th-century and recent compositional structures, the student should state clearly his or her intention regarding the use of lack of form present in the piece.
4) Style and Texture. Does the attempted style convey to the listener? Does the chosen texture complement the overall framework of the piece?
5) Melody. Is the melody interesting and creative? How well is it developed?
6) Harmony. How well do harmonic elements support the melodic structures? Is harmony used in a creative, integral manner?
7) General overall creativity
8) Details: Pedal use, tempo markings/changes, correctly drawn and used accidentals, slurs, rests; correct use of dynamic markings, etc. Do details such as tempo markings and dynamics support the form/style of the piece? Etc.
9) Recorded performance: Does the submitted recording match the notated score? Items that will be considered include but are not limited to: rhythm/timing, articulation, use of pedal, dynamics, and tempo.
10) How well does the composition actually reflect the stated intentions of the composer?
The judge may choose to add his or her general comments.
The submitted pieces will be graded using the following scale:
Each evaluation category is worth 10 total points.
Total Score:
90-100 – Superior
80-89 – Excellent
70-79 – Very Good
60-69 – Good