The Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival in collaboration with Truro College is seeking new pieces from amateur composers who can win prizes from £100 to £400.

In keeping with the way in which this festival has developed into a celebration of male singing at all ages, the composition can be for male voice choirs or boys choirs. The competition runs until April 14th 2008 which is the closing date for entries .

The pieces will be judged during April this year and all entrants will be invited to celebrate at the prize giving ceremony to be held at Truro College on Friday 18th July 2008.

The competition is a part of the next Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival which will be taking place from the 30th April to the 4th of May 2009. By holding the competition now it is hoped that the winning pieces will be performed during Festival concerts in 2009, and all choirs attending have chance to prepare them.

As an added incentive, the three prize winning compositions will be submitted to a suitable publisher.

We hope that this will not only provide some exciting new music for the choirs, but also a boost to a new composer's career said Peter Davies, the new Festival Director. The plans for the 2009 festival are already far advanced and we are receiving applications from an even larger range of choirs than before. I'm sure Cornwall is very proud to host what is now the largest male voice choir festival in Europe.

Truro College has a very strong tradition of involvement with a wide range of local music activities and education, running 3 degrees in Jazz, Pop Music and Classical Performance, and is pleased to be helping host this event said Bill Walker, Head of Performing Arts. where is such a vast range of musical talent in the county I hope some of our young composers take this opportunity to develop their musical careers.

For further details contact A Lancaster on 01872 267065

COMPOSERS COMPETITION RULES

1. The Competition is open to amateur composers only (i.e. composers who do not earn their living from composition and have not had work professionally published).

2. Three prizes will be awarded: £400 (1st); £200 (2nd); £100 (3rd).

3. The composition must be completely original. However, lyrics can be used which the composer can prove are out of copyright or for which the composer has written permission for their use. (Evidence should accompany the entry.)

4. The composition must be set for EITHER male voice choir (TTBB) OR boys choir (SS/SSS/SSA).

5. The composition must not exceed three minutes in length and may be accompanied or unaccompanied. The composition will be judged on its musical merit and suitability of text to the chosen singing formation but not the actual choice of lyrics / text.

6. All copyright will rest with the composers. However, by entering this Competition, the composer gives permission for the composition to be distributed to choirs attending the Festival in April / May 2009 for possible performance during Festival concerts and for possible performance at the presentation ceremony in July 2008 without any charge and prior to any possible publication.

7. The composition can be submitted on paper or electronically (on Sibelius only - please state version).

8. The winning compositions (i.e. the three prize winning compositions) will be submitted for publication to a suitable publisher. However, no guarantee is given that any item will actually be published. Any subsequent contract for publication will be between the composer and publisher.

9. Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival Ltd hereby relinquishes all and any rights in publication of music submitted as a result of the competition as long as such publication is after the Festival ends on 4th May 2009.

10. In all cases, the adjudicating panel decisions will be final. No correspondence will be entered into.

11. The cost of entry is £5-00p per item submitted with cheques to be made payable to CIMVCF Ltd. Composers are recommended not to submit more than one item.

12. Entries should be submitted together with the application form and appropriate fee to: MR. ANDREW LANCASTER, TRURO COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD, TRURO. CORNWALL TR1 3XX no later Friday 14th April 2008.

13. Adjudication will take place during the remainder of March and April. The winning composers will be notified by Friday 25th April. All entrants will be invited to celebrate at the prize giving ceremony to be held at Truro College on Friday 18th July 2008.

Composers Competition Entry Form