International Composition Award

Derwent Brass has a rich history of commissioning and programming contemporary works from a vast array of eminent brass composers, and is excited to build on this tradition with a new International Composition Award which seeks to give those behind the music a chance to shine. Free to enter, advanced composers and music creators from across the world are invited to work with and write for championship section brass band, with recordings for the finalists and £1000 cash prize for the winner.

Having been awarded the Brass Bands England ‘Innovation Award’ and also shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society ‘Inspiration’ Award, Derwent Brass is keen to keep pushing the boundaries of brass banding and find untapped creativity, be that in format, genre and/or musical style.

With £1000 for the winner and formal publishing , premiere live performance, and professional recordings for all final 3 compositions, now is a fantastic time to collaborate with us. This is a competition with a difference so think hard before entering; we are looking for something new, innovative, and exciting! Music and artistry that will be engaging to audiences of all backgrounds, and that treads new ground within the brass band idiom. Are you up to the challenge?

> Eligibility

> Timeline

> Adjudication Panel

> Further Information & Rules

> DBICA Reference Pack

> Apply

Eligibility

We warmly welcome applications from all music creators and composers with a diverse range of musical approaches and backgrounds, who are passionate about what they do and are interested in writing for brass band.

There are no age limits or restrictions, nor pre-existing performance or award requirements. If you have something to say through composition – we want to hear it.

Derwent Brass supports the Sound and Music Fair Access Principles and is keen to generate interest from groups historically under-represented in the brass band world and from non-classical music backgrounds.

Derwent Brass is fully ‘BandSafe’ compliant.

Timeline

The deadline for 2024 applications is 12 May 2024 at 5pm.

Stage 1 - Shortlist
All applications will be assessed by the band’s music leadership team, a shortlist of 6
works established, and applicants notified of results on 25 May 2024

Stage 2 - Finalists
The 6 shortlisted compositions will be worked on by Derwent Brass in a rehearsal setting
before announcing the 3 finalist works on 15 June 2024

A further rehearsal period of 3 weeks on finalist compositions, after which feedback will be provided
to the composers. Composers will then be afforded a limited time for any final amendments.

Stage 3 - Recording
The works will be recorded on 27 July 2024 and the tracks subsequently
used for the judging round of the competition.

Stage 4 - Judging
The judging round will take place from 28 July to 17 Aug 2024
with the winner being announced on 18 Aug 2024.

Jack Capstaff

Music Director

Paul McGhee

Contemporary Music Associate

Matthew Eden

Composer in Association

Paul Hindmarsh

Professional Producer and Editor

Further Information

1. Application deadline is strictly 5pm on 12 May 2024. The Music Leadership Team will meet soon after the deadline to select six composers to progress. Results will be sent out as soon as possible after this and by 25 May 2024. All entrants will be offered some very brief feedback if they wish.
2. The work should be between 3 and 8 minutes duration.
3. A standard brass band orchestration is included in the downloadable reference pack, however the ensemble can be divided up as desired (full divisi writing is accepted). A list of readily accessible percussion is also included. Please note the use of instruments outside of this set will not exclude the work from consideration.
4. Electronics, voice and instruments outside of the western classical idiom are permitted.
5. The score should be presented all instruments transpos-ing, and in treble clef (except for Bass Trombone whose part is to be written in bass clef concert pitch, and/or any additional instruments outside of typical brass band instrumentation). An example score is provided in the reference pack.
6. It is requested that submissions be made in digital form for the ease of sharing across the adjudication panel. Postal submissions will not be accepted unless expressly agreed otherwise.
7. Entries must include either a Sibelius file, or PDF score together with virtual instrument rendering of the work in MP3 or WAV format.
8. Uploaded files must not exceed 9.99 GB. Please contact us if your files exceed this amount.
9. Entries must also include a completed application form which includes a biography and synopsis of the piece.
10. Individual parts must be made available for the three finalist works in a PDF format easily printable onto A4 or A3 paper.
11. The winning final score must credit the Derwent Brass International Composition Award.
12. It is possible to participate with more than one composi-tion under one name.
13. The publishing house will be determined by Derwent Brass.

> Download the DBICA Reference Pack

Competition Rules

1. The works submitted should not have been performed publicly, published, or entered in other composition competitions.
2. The adjudication panel members are as selected by the management team of Derwent Brass.
3. The adjudication panel will be making its judgements according to the information provided above. No appeals will be considered against the adjudicators’ decision.
4. The Derwent Brass Music Director's decision to accept or refuse any entry is final. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The adjudicators reserve the right to withhold any prize should the required standard not be attained.
5. We will not communicate through third parties - each candidate must have their own direct email address and contact details.
6. The submitted pieces must be entirely the work of the composer.
7. Derwent Brass maintains usage of all entered works.
8. The final three works must not be presented in a public forum before the culmination of the competition.
9. Prize money will be paid via bank transfer or PayPal only

Apply

Are you up to the challenge?

Follow the button below to complete our online application form and upload your composition files for submission.

Any questions or queries, including press enquiries, should be made via email on [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply