We are thrilled to announce a composition competition in collaboration with the renowned publisher, Saxtet Publications.
The winning compositions will be premiered on Sunday 6th April 2025 at the Alderley Edge Festival Hall as part of the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester’s 8th Ensemble Weekend (5th - 6th April 2025).
1st Prize: £500
2nd Prize: £200
Deadline: 1st December 2024
***
Eligibility:
• The competition is open to composers of all nationalities.
• There are no geographical restrictions for participation.
• Composers may only submit one entry.
• Composers must be aged 16 years, or over, on Sunday 6th April 2025.
Prizes and Awards
★ 1st prize: £500. Performance of the winning work by the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester on Sunday 6th April 2025 at Alderley Edge Festival Hall. The winning composer will also be invited to lead the rehearsals of the composition during the Ensemble Weekend as well as conduct the world premiere, please note that this is completely at their discretion (No travel expenses can be reimbursed). After the performance, the piece will be published by Saxtet Publications, under their standard composer contract that includes an annual royalty percentage of publishing sales in addition to PRS and MCPS royalties.
★ 2nd prize: £200. Performance of the winning work by the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester on Sunday 6th April 2025 at Alderley Edge Festival Hall. (No travel expenses can be reimbursed). After the performance, the piece will be published by Saxtet Publications, under their standard composer contract that includes an annual royalty percentage of publishing sales in addition to PRS and MCPS royalties.
Theme or Topic:
There is no specific theme for this competition.
Composition Brief:
• Must be an original composition written for Saxophone Orchestra. Occasional split parts are acceptable
• The duration of the work should be at least 4 minutes and under 8 minutes (please include a metronome marking at the beginning of the score and also mark any changes in tempo during the work).
• Work should include some fast scalic moments for advanced players as well as accessible lines for the Alto 3 and Tenor 3 players.
• Works must be original, not premiered and not previously awarded at any other competition.
• Arranged or adapted versions of previous works by the same composer and which have been already released or published will not be accepted.
Saxophone Orchestra Manchester - Parts and Approximate Standards
Soprano 1 (3 players) - grade 7 - 8+
Soprano 2 (3 players) - grade 4 - 7
Alto 1 (6 players) - grade 7 - 8+
Alto 2 (6 players) - grade 5 - 6
Alto 3* (8 players) - grade 2 - 4
Tenor 1 (6 players) - grade 7 - 8+
Tenor 2 (6 players) - grade 5 - 6
Tenor 3* (6 players) - grade 2 - 4
Baritone 1 (6 players) - grade 6 - 8+
Baritone 2 (6 players) - grade 4 - 5
Bass* (2 players) - grade 7 - 8
Percussion (Drum Kit)* (1 player) - grade 8+
*These parts are all supported by 1 student from the Royal Northern College of Music
Optional Extra Parts:
Sopranino (1 player) - grade 8 +
Auxiliary Percussion / Tuned Percussion (1 player) - grade 5
The Sopranino is played by our main conductor. Please only include a Sopranino if you are willing and able to conduct the world premiere.
Judging Criteria:
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
Creativity and originality.
Musicality and expressiveness.
• Submissions must meet the listed Composition Brief.
• Applicants waive all rights for publication, broadcasting, and recording of the premiere performance.
• The decisions of the judges are final.
• The judges reserve the right not to award one or more prizes if the standard is not sufficiently high, commensurate with the value of the prizes.
• The judges and The Saxophone Orchestra Manchester cannot be held responsible for any damages, claims, liabilities, and costs, or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may in any way arise from the rehearsals, performance and recording of the competition entries.
Timelines:
Submission Deadline: 1st December 2024
Judging and Evaluation Period: December 2024
Winners Announcement: 1st January 2025
Judges
Saira Clegg - Conductor and Founder of the Saxophone Orchestra. Professional Saxophonist and Music Educator.
Adam Hall - Assistant Conductor of The Saxophone Orchestra Manchester, Resident Composer and Music Educator.
Tom Bruton - Proprietor of Saxtet Publications and Professional Saxophonist.
Intellectual Property and Rights:
• Composers retain the copyright to their compositions unless published by Saxtet Publications. Works published by Saxtet Publications will have copyright transferred to Saxtet Publications. An annual royalty of publishing sales, PRS and MCPS royalties will be paid to the composer under their standard agreement.
• Saxtet reserves the right to contact any of the composers and request permission to publish the works.
Submission:
Please submit a score of the work as well as an audio file. A computer generated audio file is acceptable.
• File Format: Composers must submit the score in PDF format only. Please ensure that the PDF is clear, legible, and formatted appropriately. The pages should be numbered. The audio file should be in mp3 format.
• Email Submission: Composers should send their entries as attachments via email to info@saxorchestramcr.co.uk
Please note the following guidelines when submitting via email:
• Use the subject line of the email: "SOM - Composition Submission - [Composer's Name].”
Ensure that the email body includes the following information:
• Composer's full name
• Contact information (email address and phone number)
• A brief composer biography - no more than 250 words
• File Naming Convention: Name your PDF file in the following format: "[Composer's Name]_[Composition Title].pdf.” This naming convention will help us organise and identify submissions accurately. Similarly for your audio file.
• Confirmation Receipt: Upon receiving your submission, The Saxophone Orchestra Manchester will send a confirmation email to acknowledge the receipt of your composition. Please allow 7 days for this confirmation.
• Deadline: All submissions must be received by 1 December 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Announcement: the winner and runner up of the competition will be announced on or before 12th January 2025.
• Technical Assistance or questions: If you encounter any technical difficulties during the submission process or wish to ask any further questions, please email info@saxorchestramcr.co.uk
• Backup Copies: It is advisable to keep backup copies of your submitted composition in case of any email transmission issues.
Agreement and Acceptance:
By submitting an entry, composers acknowledge that they have read and agreed to abide by the competition rules set out in this document.
Final Statements:
The Saxophone Orchestra Manchester and Saxtet Publications will adhere to all GDPR regulations.