ASTA 75th Anniversary Composition Competition

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry! Winners will be announced in Fall 2021.

Two Categories:

  • String Orchestra
  • Unaccompanied String Instrument Solo (violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, or guitar)

Eligibility:

  • Open to composers of 18 years of age and older.
  • No entry fee for ASTA members; membership must be maintained through June 2021.
  • $25 processing fee for non-members; invoices will be sent after entry is received and must be paid by July 1, 2021, for entry to be considered.

General Entrance Requirements:

  • The composition must be an original non-published, non-commissioned, and non-premiered composition.
  • The work must be submitted as a PDF file and must include an MP3 sound file with any computer-generated sound. The PDF of the score and MP3 file must not contain any identifying information. Please include the entry category, title of the work and the composer's name, address, telephone number, and email address in the body of the submission email.
  • All entries must be emailed by June 21, 2021, to asta@astastrings.org.

String Orchestra Category Requirements:

  • The work should be substantial in the Grade 4-5 difficulty level (6 = highest level of difficulty).
  • Instrumentation: Include the five string sections (violins 1 & 2, viola, cello, and double bass). Harp and piano may also be included.
  • The work may be up to 5 minutes in duration.

Solo Category Requirements:

  • The work may be written for any level of performance.
  • The work may be up to 3 minutes in duration.

Prizes:

  • The winner of the unaccompanied solo work will be awarded a cash prize of $500.
  • The winner of the string orchestra work will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000.
  • The winning works will be performed at the 2022 ASTA National Conference.
  • The winning works will be made available for purchase for one year on the ASTA website. See competition notes for more details.

Submission of Scores:

  • Scores must be submitted in PDF form; no other formats will be accepted or considered.
  • Sound files (MP3 format with computer generated sound only) must be submitted along with the score.
  • The PDF of the score and MP3 file must not contain any identifying information.
  • Please include the title of the work and the composer's name, address, telephone number, and email address in the body of the submission email to asta@astastrings.org.
  • Only one entry per composer per category will be allowed (composers may submit one entry in each category).
  • The composition must be an original non-published, non-commissioned, and non-premiered composition.

Competition Notes:

  • Three distinguished judges will be invited to adjudicate each category. Works will be judged anonymously.
  • The composer retains the copyright to the work, which will be available as a download from the ASTA website. 50% of the proceeds from orders shall be paid to the composer. ASTA will retain the rights to sell the work for one year. At the end of the year, the composer may request to continue making the work available through the ASTA website under the same arrangement.
  • The winning string orchestra work may be purchased by ASTA members for $25 or by non-members for $50. The solo work may be purchased by ASTA members for $5 or by non-members for $10.
  • The winning work will be announced in November 2021.
  • Credit: The winning composer agrees to ensure that ASTA is acknowledged through the use of the following language (“Credit”): Winner of the 2021 ASTA 75th Anniversary Composition Competition
  • Required Uses of Credit:
    • Work: Composer shall use the Credit on the original manuscript and all other copies of the work.
    • Promotional Materials: Composer shall ensure the Credit appears prominently and permanently on any and all publicly distributed materials, whether in hard copy, electronic form, or as part of any live announcements and broadcasts referring to the work.
  • Only the winning composer's name will be announced. The identity of all other contestants will be held in strict confidence.
  • ASTA reserves the right to declare that a winner does not exist if the entry requirements and the musical standards are not fulfilled.
  • The decision of the judging panel is final. The judging panel will remain anonymous.

Liability:

Although every effort will be made to protect and safeguard all manuscripts, neither ASTA nor anyone connected with this competition will assume responsibility for loss or damage. It is strongly recommended that contestants retain original copies of the score and parts.

Questions? Contact us at asta@astastrings.org.