The Canadian League of Composers periodically hosts competitions that issue prizes to composers.

THE CANADIAN LEAGUE OF COMPOSERS ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 60th ANNIVERSARY COMPOSITION COMPETITION AND STUDENT COMPOSITION PRIZE

15 April 2011 – The Canadian League of Composers (CLC) is announcing the winner of its 60th Anniversary Composition Competition, as well as the winner of the Student Composition Prize co-presented with the Canadian University Music Society (CUMS).

CLC 60th Anniversary Composition Prize - On April 6th 2011, a jury chaired by Brian Current, with committee members Nicole Lizée, Linda Smith, and Allan Bell, selected John Rea’s Accident -Tombeau de Grisey (2004) as the winning entry for the CLC’s special 60th Anniversary Composition Prize. Ms. Catlin Smith commented on the selected work: “I was drawn to this work by its sophistication, its artistry and its surprises. I found it had a largeness of scope, imaginative and masterful orchestration, and a sense of grandeur and depth.” Ms. Lizée said: “Accident is a wonderfully crafted work filled with nuance and rich with colour. It lures the listener into a journey of seamless, unfolding gestures - with many surprising twists.” Honorable mentions were also awarded to Alexina Louie, for her Imaginary Opera, and to Brian Harman, for his Gregarious Machines. The jury was impressed with the high calibre of the entries received from composers across the country.

Accident – Tombeau de Grisey will be performed at an 8PM concert on Friday May 13, at the Paul Fleck Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, by the Esprit Orchestra, as part of the CLC’s 60th anniversary celebrations in Toronto. This award is accompanied by a cash prize of $2,500. The CLC extends its congratulations to John Rea, and is pleased to recognize his piece, as well as his long and distinguished career.

Student Composition Prize - A jury, chaired by Gary Tucker of Mount Allison University, with committee members Michael Matthews (University of Manitoba), Robert Lemay (Laurentian University and CLC representative) and Helen Pridmore (Motion Ensemble representative and Mount Allison University), selected Farshid Samandari’s coming home for flute, double bass and percussion as the winning work. Mr. Samandari’s work will be performed in Sackville, NB by the Motion Ensemble as part of the CUMS annual meetings on June 3. It will also be performed by the Esprit Orchestra at 8pm on 13 May 2011 at the Paul Fleck Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, in Toronto, alongside John Rea’s Accident – Tombeau de Grisey. The composer will attend both events, and will also be awarded a cash prize of $2,500. Congratulations Farshid!

The CLC is proud to administer these awards as part of our mandate to celebrate the achievements of composers in Canada. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the SOCAN Foundation and the Government of Canada through the Canada Music Fund, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts, for making these prizes possible.

Previous Competitions

Canadian League of Composers

60TH ANNIVERSARY COMPOSITION COMPETITION

Call for Scores (past)

The Canadian League of Composers (CLC) celebrates its 60th anniversary May 13-15, 2011 in Toronto, and marks this special event with a competition of compositions for chamber ensemble. To enter, you must be a member of the Canadian League of Composers. Please contact the CLC or visit our website, www.clc-lcc.ca , for information on becoming a new CLC member. The performance of the winning work will be given by the Esprit Orchestra, conducted by Alex Pauk, during the weekend of May 13 to 15 in Toronto, during the CLC’s 60th Anniversary celebrations (location to be announced). In addition to the performance, there will be a prize of $2,500. The winner will be reimbursed for the cost (travel and accommodation) of attending the performance.

How to enter:

• Send a score and CD of your piece. If you would like these to be returned, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage to cover the mailing. Please send hard copies of scores and CDs/equivalent recordings. Electronic submissions (emailed pdfs and mp3s) will not be considered.
• Enclose a short program note for the piece and a brief (200-word) bio of yourself. -The jury will consider a maximum of one entry per composer.
• The instrumentation is from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 15 musicians, to be drawn from an orchestra of [2222 2221 percussion strings (6-6-4-4-2)], to which a soloist and/or electronics may be added.
• The piece should be 20 minutes or less in duration.
• The piece should have been premiered within the last ten years, and not awarded any previous competition prizes.
• If your piece is chosen, you agree to supply a legible score and parts by April 8, 2011, free of charge for the performance, and to allow the CLC and Esprit Orchestra to perform the piece without additional conditions.
• CLC staff or National Council members or their families may not apply.
• The winner will be selected by a jury chosen by the CLC, to be named after all nominations are received, in order to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.

Deadline for submissions: materials must be received at the CLC office no later than March 1, 2011.