The 1st Senzoku Gakuen International Composition Competition for Symphonic-Pops Orchestra

Preface Nowadays, the extraordinary orchestral piece to be born is very rare, which has high quality, humor as well as popularity, like the works of US great composer Leroy Anderson. This competition will give the young gifted composers an opportunity to create such pieces. We hope also that so many music lovers could reap their great orchestral sound through this competition. We can promise, the Audience must be fascinated by your powerful creation, and surely it would take their soul into another dimension. Now then, we warmly expect on your modern composition having the highest craftsmanship as well as tremendous popularity configured by beautiful elements, in fact of attractive melody and harmony. Date and Place -Preselection Screening will take place in March 2014 (Details to be announced) -Final Round will take place on June 14th 2014 in the Senzoku Gakuen Maeda Hall
Address: 2-3-1 Hisamoto, Takatsu-ku, ZIP:213-8580, Kawasaki / JAPAN

Works required Participants must submit An Orchestral Work within following outline
Duration ca.5 to 6 Minutes Except for Concerto Unpublished and not premiered Specified Instrumentation (see below)

Attention!! The score must have M.M. and own Rehearsal Number. Composers name may only be stated on the front cover. The instructions on the stuff should only be in Italian, English, German or in French. Candidates are required to report to the competition office beforehand, if their submitted works are to be performed in an unofficial concert or an academic conference. If a participant belongs to some kind of educational institution, performance of the submitted work as part of whose educational curriculum is regarded as an "Unofficial Performance". Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Once submitted work is uncorrectable. Please attach a short note about the composition. The Composers of the works final round nominated are required to prepare their instrumental score themselves for the orchestra musicians. The score should be finished by machine. The Senzoku Gakuen New Philharmonic Orchestra under the Baton of Kazuyoshi Akiyama will perform the works of the finalists in the final round concert. The competition office decides the order of the final round. The Finalists divide their rehearsal time for the final round concert and their time for attendance at it equally. The works can only be accepted by online. For the case of incident, applicants are required to keep copy(s) of score. The decision of the jury committee is the final and cannot be appealed. The original competition rules are in Japanese. Any disputes will be resolved according to the Japanese rules.

Instrumentation Following instruments are usable. The number in the ( ) are the maximum, candidates can use. Violin(22), Viola(8), Violoncello(8), Contrabass(4), Flute(2, may double Piccolo(2)), Oboe(2, may double English horn(1)), Clarinet(2, may double Bass Clarinet(1)), Bassoon(2, may double Contrabassoon(1)) Horn(4), Trumpet(3), Trombone(2), Bass Trombone(1), Tuba(1), Harp(1), Timpani(1), Percussion(2) *Piano is unusable. Would you like to use the special Percussions, please ask the Competition Office beforehand.

Judgments - Preselection Screening

By anonymous in a closed room. Quality of the WAV-data stands outside of judge. Around 10 works will be nominated to the Final Round.

-Final Round
The works of the finalists will be performed by the Senzoku Gakuen New Philharmonic Orchestra under the Baton of Kazuyoshi Akiyama

Final Round will be open to the Public.

Jury Taro Iwashiro

Born in Tokyo in 1955. In 1991 he graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and received both of his bachelors and masters degree with highest honors. During his student period Iwashiro studied under Prof. Hiroaki Minami, Prof. Jo Kondo, Prof. Isao Matsushita and Prof. Toshiro Mayuzumi as well. His masters composition "To The Farthest Land Of The World" was awarded the Supreme Award from the International Composition Competition Silk Road. The Tokyo National University of Fine Arts purchased Iwashiros bachelors as well as masters compositions, and they have been stored in the university-archive permanently. Recently Taro Iwashiro appears very often on the national and international mass media.

Akira Senju
Born in Tokyo in 1960. Senju studied composition at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and received his master's degree with highest honors. Globally active as a composer, arranger, and music producer, his extensive catalogue ranges from concert pieces to soundtracks to operas to pop music. Among them are "Four Seasons" for violin and string orchestra; Opera "Sumidagawa"; Symphony of Psalms "The Tale of GENJI"; Opera "Man'ysh"; soundtracks for films "Aiwo Kouhito," "Yomigaeri"; TV dramas "Honmamon," "Suna No Utsuwa," "Frinkazan (NHK Taiga Drama)"; TV anime series "Mobile Suit Victory Gundam," "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood"; to name a few. Recipient of numerous awards and honors, including three Japan Academy Prizes for Music. Currently a visiting professor at the Tokyo College of Music. (Oct. 2012)

 Toshiyuki Watanabe (Chairman)

In 1979 with age 24, a Japanese composer Toshiyuki Watanabe began to study the newest composition techniques in the field of classical music as well as contemporary jazz at the Berklee College of Music, and Conducting at the Boston Conservatory. He also studied in L.A. with Albert Harris the Hollywood-styled orchestration and composition technique for film music. After his return to Japan, he made extensive and remarkable compositions for the films, the animations and the dramas. For instance, Music for the worldwide famous movie Mothra is one of Watanabes representative works. Watanabe won many notable composition awards through his aggressive activities. Currently a Professor at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

Prizes 1st Prize: Yen 1,000,000 2nd Prize: Yen 300,000 3rd Prize: Yen 100,000
By decision of the jury, prizes may be provided some candidates, or be not awarded. The work 1st prize awarded is supposed to be performed in the concert organized and/or co-organized by Senzoku Gakuen.

Age-Limit Born on or before the April 1st 1996, and born on or after the April 1st 1979

Ways to Apply Please submit a PDF-Data of the General Score and a WAV-Sound-Data of the Work, together with a completed Application Form before or by the deadline to popsoche@senzoku.ac.jp per e-Mail or any kind of High-spec data web transfer service.
* Please double-check your data before submitting, whether everything does work!!

Application Period From December 10th 2013 to February 28th 2014 (deadline)

Contact Us Competition Office

of the Senzoku Gakuen International Composition Competition for Symphonic-Pops Orchestra c/o Ensoubu-Section Senzoku Gakuen College of Music

2-3-1 Hisamoto, Takatsu-ku ZIP:213-8580, Kawasaki/JAPAN Tel. +81-44-856-2981 Fax. +81-44-856-2977 E-Mail:popsoche@senzoku.ac.jp