Submissions are now open for the 2022 Gilgamesh International Composition Competition, hosted by the Gilgamesh Art & Culture Foundation in Orange County, California. For this year’s competition, Gilgamesh Trio, comprised of some of Los Angeles’ leading interpreters of contemporary music, is in residence and we are accepting scores for bassoon, percussion, and synthesizer. Please see below for information about Gilgamesh Trio and the specifications for their setups. Winning composers will receive a cash prize and/or a recording of their work by Gilgamesh Trio.
Guidelines
Eligibility – All composers regardless of age, nationality, and professional level are eligible.
Work history – Works need not be premieres or composed specifically for this competition. If selected for performance, the composer must make the score and parts available to the competition organizers free of charge.
Instrumentation – Scores should be composed for bassoon, percussion, and synthesizer. Scores of all styles and aesthetic inclinations are encouraged. Please contact us with any specific inquiries about the instrumentation.
Duration – 5 minutes maximum; multi-movement works and excerpts of larger works accepted.
Entry fee – A non-refundable entry fee of fifteen US dollars (15.00 USD) is to be paid online at the time of submission via PayPal. Please contact us if you don’t have access to PayPal.*
Number of submissions – Unlimited entries are allowed; each must be submitted separately with the entry fee.
Anonymous submission – The composer’s name and any other identifying information must not appear on the score or in any accompanying materials submitted online.
Judges – A panel of esteemed and stylistically diverse judges will be announced at a later date. Last year’s judges were Du Yun, Thomas Kotcheff, and Arshia Samsaminia.
Theme
The Epic of Gilgamesh, regarded as the earliest surviving work of notable literature, is an ancient Mesopotamian epic with themes as relevant today as when it was written. It begins with five Sumerian poems about Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, dating from the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2100 BC). Gilgamesh became the quintessential hero of the ancient world, exerting substantial influence on Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey, among others. Gilgamesh was an “adventurous, brave, but tragic figure symbolizing man’s vain but endless drive for fame, glory, and immortality.” In the spirit of this, the competition is looking for chamber music that is in some way inspired by the story, elements or themes of Gilgamesh and Assyrian culture.
Submission Requirements
Score format – Anonymous PDF. Please be sure to remove all identifying information.
Audio file (preferred, but not required) – Live recording or MIDI mockup in mp3 format.
Biography – PDF of a current bio (two pages maximum).
Photo – at least one photo in landscape format.
Deadline: Monday, January 31, 2022, 11:59pm PST.
Awards
1st Place: $1,000 and recording of composition by Gilgamesh Trio.
2nd Place: $500 and recording of composition Gilgamesh Trio.
3rd Place: $250 and recording of composition Gilgamesh Trio.
Honorable Mentions: in addition to the above awards, several more pieces will be selected for recording by Gilgamesh Trio, such that a total of approximately 45 minutes of music will be recorded.
Writing for Gilgamesh Trio
Bassoon: Jon Stehney has prepared a document about extended techniques and their notation. You may download it HERE
Percussion: Vibraphone, assorted cymbals, 4 toms, and any small instruments that can easily fit on a trap table (e.g., woodblock, triangle, glass bottle, etc.). We can also include frame drum from various traditions (tar, bendir, daf). If you have another percussion need, please contact us and we may be able to accommodate you.
Synthesizer: A digital piano will be connected to a Macbook Pro with Kontakt, Digital Performer, Max/MSP, MainStage, and Logic, plus many additional plugins. Composers can either submit a Max/Kontakt/Logic/Mainstage patch or simply describe the sound that they want and Aron will work with you to get it right. If you have another hardware or software need, please contact us and we may be able to accommodate your request.
Important Dates
Competition opens: Monday, September 27, 2021
Submissions due: Monday, January 31, 2022, 11:59pm PST.
Announcement of winners: Monday, February 28, 2021
Performance Presentation & Final Prize Announcement: Spring, 2022
Deadline 31 January 2022
Website gilgamesh.co.com
