Composition competition open to uni students and first-year graduates

Scottish university students and graduates of up to one year are invited to take part in a new composition competition being launched by Durham University Brass Band.

The competition is open to all UK university students and graduates of up to one year. Pieces of music should be themed around the North East of England, or be a concert march.

The original compositions­ – up to 6 minutes in length – should be arranged for standard brass band orchestration, and be playable after some rehearsal by a 3rd section band.

The Durham and Open Composition Competition is supported by Durham Music Shop and local composer and concert organiser Steve Robson.

There is a first prize of £100, plus the chance to get the work published by Modrana Music Publishers (with a competitive royalties agreement) and performed by Durham University Brass Band in the next academic year.

The entries will be judged ‘blind’ by Steve Robson (pictured), from Weardale in County Durham, ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity of winning.

Entries close on 1 September. Submissions should be made to brass.band@durham.ac.uk in the form of a score in PDF format and audio (notation software output in mp3 format).

Composers are encouraged to include a brief accompanying note about their piece and proof of studentship which meets the competition criteria.

The full rules can be found here, and entries/queries should be sent to brass.band@durham.ac.uk