Bowling Green Chamber Music Competition Guidelines
Eligibility
All competition participants must be either:
- currently enrolled BGSU students registered for applied lessons in their medium of competition the semester of the competition OR
- students who are registered for student teaching the semester of the competition and who were registered for applied lessons in their medium of competition the previous semester.
Winners of any previous BGSU College of Musical Arts competition are eligible to participate. However, past winners of the BGSU Chamber Music Competition are permitted to compete in subsequent competitions in newly formed chamber groups provided that no more than two past winners compete in the same ensemble and provided the repertoire is different from past competitions. (This does not affect members of second place or audience choice award ensembl recipients of past competitions.)
The winning first- and second-place ensembles in each division must be available to perform their pieces in two off-campus concerts to be announced. All expenses including transportation, hotels and meals to/from these concerts are part of the prizes for the winning ensembles.
NOTE: Winning ensembles will be asked to perform at a special concert at the Manor House, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, Toledo, Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Perrysburg Way Library, Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Competition Rules
For purposes of this competition, an eligible chamber ensemble shall be defined as an ensemble consisting of three–six musicians. There are no other restrictions on the makeup of each ensemble with the following exceptions:
- Vocalists may participate, provided the chamber ensemble consists of at least two other instruments.
- There is a limit of one keyboard artist participating in each ensemble.
There is no limit to the number of different ensembles in which a student may compete.
There will be two divisions: Undergraduate Division and Graduate Division. If a competing ensemble has any member who is a certificate or graduate student, that ensemble will be placed into the graduate division.
The Graduate String Quartet is not eligible to compete; however, members of the quartet may compete in other ensembles. Other for-credit ensembles may compete provided the members and the ensemble meet all other criteria.
Each ensemble must be sponsored by a faculty member.
Please assign a name to your ensemble for participation and program purposes.
Repertoire
Each ensemble must prepare two contrasting pieces or movements of pieces by different composers. The combined duration of the two pieces must be a minimum of 12 minutes and a maximum of 18 minutes. (Note: In order to stay within the time limit, cuts may be made in consultation with the sponsoring faculty member. Participants exceeding the time limit during the competition will be stopped after 18 minutes.) Each member of the ensemble must participate in both numbers.
Transcriptions, arrangements and reductions (unless by the composer) are not eligible; however, at the discretion of the sponsoring faculty member of an ensemble in consultation with the coordinator of the competition, reasonable instrument substitutions of closely related instruments may be allowed if in keeping with the original character and spirit of the composer.
Repertoire must be approved by the sponsoring faculty member.
Music does not need to be memorized.
No changes in repertoire are permitted after applications are submitted without the written permission of the ensemble’s sponsoring instructor; however, no change in repertoire will be permitted between the preliminary and final rounds.
At least one published score of each piece presented for competition must be provided for the jury. Failure to provide a published score will result in the ensemble being disqualified. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Awards
Finalists in each division will receive a certificate of merit. A maximum of one first place and one second place award will be given in each division. Judges have the discretion of not filling a winning position if, in their opinion, a high level of artistry is not displayed.
Chamber Music Community Engagment Award
The Chamber Music Community Engagement Award was established by Richard and Carolyn Lineback in 2006. This award provides travel funds for the winning chamber ensembles to present concerts and clinics in our community and region following the chamber music competition. In addition, recipients of this award will be recognized at the annual College of Musical Arts Honors and Awards Ceremony.
Pro Musica Awards
Pro Musica is a community organization dedicated to supporting our students in the College of Musical Arts. Annual membership fees support student travel. Income from the Pro Musica endowment provides annual scholarships. First- and second-place winners of each division will receive a certificate of merit and the following prizes sponsored by Pro Musica:
- First-place Winners: $200 per ensemble member
- Second-place Winners: $100 per ensemble member
Competition Dates, Venues and Withdrawal Deadlines
Preliminary Rounds: Saturday, February 21, 2009, at 1 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall
Final Round: Sunday, February 22, 2009, at 3 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall
Both rounds are open to the public.
Judges have sole discretion as to the number of ensembles advancing to the final round.
The deadline for withdrawing from the competition is 48 hours prior to the scheduled preliminary round. Remaining participants’ performance times will move up accordingly; therefore, each ensemble must be prepared to perform one hour prior to their scheduled times. The complete ensemble must sign in with the competition coordinator one hour prior to their scheduled time. Participants will forfeit their audition if they are not present within the one-hour time frame.
Application Deadline
All completed and signed applications must be received by the competition coordinator, Douglas Wayland, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2009.
All that’s left is to complete an application form.