Postmark deadline: May 26, 2012

One First prize: $1000, performance and recording in 2013 season
Two Second prizes: $100, composition entered into repertoire
Entry fee: $10, checks made out to Columbia Summer Winds
Application form

The Columbia Summer Winds is a 80-member symphonic wind band that plays outdoor concerts in New York City throughout the summer months.

We are seeking new and unpublished compositions of 5-10 minutes in length that will fit our ensemble and our unique outdoor concert format.  We play music spanning the entire band repertoire, from classic transcriptions to original wind band staples.  As a band of adult amateurs, we play music at advanced high school and comfortable college levels.  Please look at our complete repertoire for an idea of what we are able to play.  We use standard wind band instrumentation as follows (*indicates optional instruments):

Piccolo,
flute 1 & 2
oboe 1 & 2
English horn*
e-flat clarinet*
b-flat clarinet 1, 2 & 3
bass clarinet
bassoon 1 & 2
soprano sax*
alto sax 1 & 2
tenor sax
bari sax
trumpet/cornet (3-6 parts)
French horns (4)
(Tenor)Trombone 1 & 2
bass trombone
euphonium/baritone (bass clef) (opt. divisi)
tuba (opt. divisi)
percussion

Percussion should be scored for no more than 5 players including any of the following:

timpani (3 drums up to F)
2 snare drums
1 bass drum
1 pair crash cymbals
1 suspended cymbal
1 set of 5 temple blocks
1 set of 3 roto-toms
1 triangle
1 xylophone
1 glockenspiel
1 marimba
1 tambourine
1 set of bongos
2 cowbells
2 maracas
1 set of wind chimes
1 ratchet
1 guiro
1 set of claves
1 small metal plate (anvil)
1 hi-hat

This is an anonymous competition.  All scores should thus be free of anything that would identify the composer.

To enter, please send your application form, 3 copies of a score, 1 copy of a first clarinet part, $10 entry fee, and a recording (if available, MIDI accepted) to:

Columbia Summer Winds Outdoor Composition Contest
c/o Maria Suarez
954 Lexington Avenue, #401
New York, NY 10021

Notification: July 15, 2012
Finalists will be asked to submit a full set of parts for a reading on August 14, 2012.

Questions, e-mail Andrew Pease, CSW’s Music Director.