The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is offering a unique and exciting opportunity: composers are invited to submit a score to be considered for Composition: Wales which will take place in January and March 2020.

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Selected scores will be featured in the project at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay.

 

The initial Composition: Wales Workshop Day will take place on Tuesday 28 January 2020 - this day will be followed by second two-day phase of Composition: Wales on Tuesday 3 March and Wednesday 4 March 2020.

The project will be led by Conductor and Composer B Tommy Andersson with BBC NOW Composer-In-Association, Huw Watkins.

 

Depending on submissions, 6-8 scores will be selected for the project by B Tommy Andersson and Huw Watkins.

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The project forms part of the Learning activity of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The aim is to showcase works by composers in Wales worthy of wider exposure and is organised in collaboration with Composers of Wales, Tŷ Cerdd, Vale of Glamorgan Festival and Welsh Music Guild.

 

ELIGIBILITY
Composers eligible to submit scores are as follows:
•    Composers born in Wales who have completed a music degree at undergraduate level or equivalent qualification
•    Composers living in Wales who have completed a music degree at undergraduate level or equivalent qualification
•    Composers studying composition at Post-Graduate level in Wales
•    Composers born in Wales studying composition at Post-Graduate level outside Wales 

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BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also consider scores from composers born in Wales or currently living in Wales who can demonstrate an established and proven composition track record, other than the completion of a music degree or equivalent qualification. Please note that composers must clearly be able to demonstrate equivalent acquired prior learning and a suitable level of experience or competency comparable with the categories listed above. 

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Scores from composers previously selected to be featured in Composition: Wales or the Welsh Composers Showcase (as this Event was previously known) are welcomed. This may be taken into consideration in the selection process in order to provide exposure for the widest selection of composers possible. 

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Similarly, if composers have already had a range of professional experiences this may be taken into consideration in the selection process.

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Scores previously performed by a professional orchestra will not be considered for Composition: Wales.

 

DEADLINES
Deadline for submission of four copies of A3 full scores and one copy of an A4 full score: 
Wednesday 13 November 2020 at 10:00         
Maximum duration: 8 minutes. Please note that scores of a shorter duration are very welcome. 

Composers selected for inclusion in Composition: Wales 2020 will be informed on Friday 6 December 2020

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Deadline for selected composers to submit parts (hard copies plus PDF and electronic file in either: Sibelius 7.5, Sibelius 6, Sibelius 5 or Sibelius 4 format): Monday 6 January 2020.

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All successful composers will be expected to attend ALL sessions and dates below.

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WORKSHOPS AND CULMINATION CONCERT
Tuesday 28 January 2020 – BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay
Free workshops open to the public: 1400-1700 and 1800-2100 

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Tuesday 3 March 2020 – BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay
Free workshops open to the public: 1400-1700 and 1800-2100 

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Wednesday 4 March 2020– BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay
Free open rehearsal: 14:30-17:30
Free concert featuring highlights from the project: 19:00  

 

GUIDELINES

Scores are invited with the following guidance brief: 

The perfect concert opener or an encore for a BBC National Orchestra of Wales concert, such as St David’s Day or an international tour. 

Maximum duration: 8 minutes. Please note that scores of a shorter duration are very welcome.

1. Composers are requested to ensure that accurate durations are provided. For works with multiple movements, composers should indicate which movement they would prefer to be considered for the project. 
  
2. Composers may submit up to 2 works to be considered for the project. The deadline for scores to be submitted is 10:00 on Wednesday 13 November 2019.

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3. Scores previously performed by a professional orchestra will not be considered for Composition: Wales.

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4. Composers are required to submit four bound A3 double-sided, portrait-layout copies and one unbound A4 double-sided portrait-layout copy of the full scores of their work – plus a PDF file of the score. NB: Please do not print your name on your scores as the shortlisting process takes place anonymously.

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5. Printed scores submissions are preferred; however, hand-written scores will be accepted if neat and legible.

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6. Scores must be written for a symphony orchestra with the maximum orchestration:
3.3.3.3. 4.3.3.1. Timp.+3Perc. Harp. Piano/Celeste. Strings 12.10.8.6.4 
NB: Scores outside this orchestration or written for solo instrument and orchestra will not be considered for inclusion in BBC NOW Composition: Wales.

Woodwind:
Please note that within the woodwind complement of 3.3.3.3. piccolo, alto flute, cor anglais, Eb clarinet, bass clarinet and contrabassoon doublings are available. 

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Percussion – Please Note:
i). Please ensure it is possible for the percussion parts to be played by 3 percussionists allowing time for movement between instruments.
ii). Percussion instruments selected must be within the standard symphony orchestra provision. For further clarity please contact now@bbc.co.uk
 
N.B. Composers are strongly advised to read the additional document ‘A Composer’s Guide to Percussion’ by Chris Stock (Principal Percussionist, BBC National Orchestra of Wales) which is available in PDF format on request by emailing now@bbc.co.uk

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7. Please note that the standard symphony orchestral layout in the hall should be adhered to as there will not be time during the days to reset the orchestra.

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8. Please note that musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales should not be requested to vocalise or sing.

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9. Full scores must be provided in A3 double-sided format (portrait-layout).
NB: Staves in full scores should be a minimum of 7.5mm in height.

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10. Composers of selected scores will be required to submit hard copies of parts in A4 or B4 format, and one duplicate hard copy of the unbound full score in A3 format by Monday 6 January 2020, 5pm.

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11. Composers of selected scores will also be required to email the parts in A4 portrait layout in both PDF format and also as an electronic file in: Sibelius 7.5, Sibelius 6, Sibelius 5 or Sibelius 4 by Monday 6 January 2020, 5pm. Hand written parts and full scores will only be accepted if neat and legible. 

NB: Please submit separate PDFs for your Full Score as well as individual parts for each instrument in each section of the orchestra.
                                                                                         

Notes on Submitting Orchestral Parts

i)    Composers should always consider legibility of parts from a player’s perspective, remembering that the music will be read from a reasonable distance. 

ii)    Composers are asked to pay particular attention to allowing time for players to turn pages and (where necessary) to change instruments. 

iii)    Scores and parts should be fully legible and in particular there should be bar numbers at the start of each system and rehearsal marks (denoted as large bar numbers or letters) at frequent appropriate intervals. 

iv)    Individual string parts (e.g. Violin I) should be printed together (i.e. divisis or solos should not be on separate parts) and divisis should be marked if they are by player or by desk.

v)    Please ensure that you create separate parts for each individual musician in the orchestra which should not include any material other than that musician’s own part.

vi)    Particular attention should be paid to notation – any unusual notation should be clearly explained to save rehearsal time. Also, please avoid the use of unnecessary accidentals but, where necessary, include cautionary accidentals to avoid confusion.

vii)    Useful examples of best practice can be found in orchestral sets by Barenreiter, Breitkopf, Faber, Novello and Schott.

viii)    Please ensure that full scores and all parts are thoroughly and carefully proof read, checked and corrected before submission.

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12. Composers of selected scores will be required to attend all workshops on Tuesday 28 January 2020, Tuesday 3 March and Wednesday 4 March 2020

RECORDINGS
If available, please send an electronic Sibelius recording or a CD or Audio file of the full score. 
Please note that it is not essential to provide a recording.

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SCORES TO BE DELIVERED TO
Composition: Wales 2020, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5AL.

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QUERIES

If you have any queries regarding the project please e-mail now@bbc.co.uk or phone 0800 052 1812.

www.bbc.co.uk/now