2024 Ochestral Composition Competition

Celebration!

Featuring the Sonoma State University Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Kahn, Director

Entries must be submitted no later than December 6, 2024.
The winning composition will be announced no later than December 13, 2024.
Finished scores and parts of the winning composition must be submitted no later than January 21, 2025. Students may be requested to make revisions between December 13 and this due date.
Composers of the winning composition should be prepared to attend all rehearsals of their composition, the schedule of which will be announced by the orchestra director.
The winning composition will open the SSU Symphony Orchestra performances at the 2025 Band & Orchestra Festival, alongside Respighi's Pines of Rome .

Compositions to be considered should be scored for a full symphony orchestra and must not exceed 3-5 minutes in length. Applicants are encouraged to take inspiration from the scoring of Pines (3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 3[1.2.cbn] — 4 3 3 1 tmp+5 — hp — cel, pf, org — str)
The piece should be inspired by the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra and be celebratory in mood. The piece must be accompanied by a program note.
The piece should be of minimal difficulty, requiring little rehearsal time for a young university orchestra.
The score and parts must be complete, legible, and professional quality, adhering to the Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association music preparation guidelines.

Anonymous copies of the score and program note should be submitted via email. The composer’s name or any reference to the composer must NOT appear on the scores. Non-anonymous entries will be disqualified.  Midi files are welcome but not required.
All materials should be sent to the music department staff: Brooke Tester.