Earplay sponsors the annual Earplay Donald Aird Composers Competition, open to composers of any nationality and any age. Earplay performs the prizewinning piece and presents a cash prize of $1,000 to the winning composer. The competition honors the late composer/conductor/Earplay board member Donald Aird, an ardent supporter of the creation and performance of new music. A list of past competition winners, finalists, and honorable mentions is here.
You can submit an Aird competition application electronically or by mail. Please send and email to aird@earplay.org if you have questions or comments.
Compositions:
Works are limited to 1 to 6 players (at most 1 of each, e.g., not 2 violins) from Earplay’s ensemble:
flute/piccolo/alto flute
clarinet/bass clarinet
piano
violin
viola
cello
Works may include electronics.
Works may be of any duration (8-15 minutes preferred).
Works may have been previously performed.
Each composer may submit any number of pieces.
Application:
Earplay strongly encourages you to use online application at www.earplay.org/www/aird_apply.php, but if you prefer you can print an application form (available at www.earplay.org/www/competition.php), fill it out, and mail it instead. You can use online application even if you intend to mail some parts of your application (composer bio, score, program note, recording, or payment). Sorry, mailed application materials cannot be returned.
Checklist:
Completed online application (preferred) or application form
Brief composer biography
Score (all composer identification removed)
Brief program note (not required but recommended)
Audio recording (not required but strongly recommended; send mail if you want to submit video)
Application fee US $26 per score (cash, check payable to Earplay, or PayPal payment)
Mailing address:
Earplay
2021 Earplay Donald Aird Composers Competition
560 29th Street
San Francisco, CA 94131-2239
USA
Deadline 31 March 2021
Website earplay.org