Matt Withers Australian Music

Composition Competition 2016

With adjudication by esteemed Australian composer, Dr Robert Davidson

Over $3000 cash and prizes on offer!

First place = $1000 Cash, Performance,
Artwork & Recording
Open age competition to Australian residents

Applicants are invited to submit an original musical composition based on the

inspiration artwork ‘Forest’ by Sue Needham for solo classical guitar of 4-6
minutes in duration.

Entries close COB Thursday 30 June 2016

www.MattWithers.com.au/CompositionCompetition

Enquiries: matt.withers.guitar@gmail.com

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General Information
Applicants are invited to enter the Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition 2016 by
submitting an original musical composition based on the artwork ‘Forest’ by Sue Needham of 4-6
minutes in duration for the instrumentation of Solo Classical Guitar (6-string, nylon, 19 frets) and
additional materials according to the Submission Materials on page 4. Works featuring electronics in
the form of a digital delay pedal or prepared CD/audio will also be considered. Clear instructions must
be notated.

The Competition is open to any current Australian citizen or resident of Australia.

The submitted work can be in any style.

The score must be clearly notated with computer software. No handwritten scores will be accepted.

About Matt Withers – Australian Guitarist (Performer & Adjudicator)

Matt Withers is an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist and member of Australia’s premier
guitar quartet, Guitar Trek. He has released a number of albums including, most recently, Serene
Nights on ABC Classics. His interests include helping to continue the growth of Australian music and
bring it to wider audiences. Matt will present a concert featuring the winning works in Canberra on
Sunday 13th November (*see no.14 T&Cs). Full details www.MattWithers.com.au/Events

About Robert Davidson – Composer (Adjudicator)

Dr Robert Davidson is Head of Composition at the University of Queensland. Davidson has been
featured as a bassist in many festivals, performing chamber works with artists such as John Williams,
the Brodsky Quartet and Ensemble 24. He tours internationally with Topology and other ensembles
and his compositions are regularly performed, recorded and broadcast around the world. All of
Australia’s professional orchestras and many leading festivals, soloists and ensembles have
commissioned and performed his works, including the Brodsky Quartet (London), Australian String
Quartet, Karin Schaupp, Southern Cross Soloists and many more.

Sue Needham – Artist of the inspiration work ‘Forest’

Upon retirement from the workforce Sue realised her long-term dream and undertook study in
watercolour. James Fearnley, a watercolour painting specialist, taught Sue the basics. From there
imagination, perseverance and innovation joined forces and Sue's works took on a unique identity.
Most of her work is termed "mixed media", and ranges in size from miniatures (100mm x 100mm) to
1.2m x 1m.

Drawing inspiration and painting from memory of places visited on travels and bushwalking, Sue’s
work is more abstract than realism. Her paintings are held in private collections around the world from
London, France, the U.S. and of course across Australia. In 2016, Sue continues to paint expressive
abstracts of the forest, outback and ocean. To purchase her other artwork, contact Sue via email with
the subject ‘Art’: gsneed10@gmail.com

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Prizes & Sponsors
First Prize
- $1000 cash sponsored by Matt Withers, Australian Guitarist

- A framed 70cm x 70cm copy of Forest by Australian artist, Sue Needham

Replica artwork valued at $700 sponsored by The ArtWorks

‘Giclee Art Printing & Picture Framing’

www.theartworks.com.au

Second Prize
- $500 cash sponsored by the Canberra Classical Guitar Society

www.classicalguitarcanberra.org.au

Third Prize
- $250 cash sponsored by Rick Falkiner, Guitar Centre

‘Fine and rare Classical and Flamenco guitars bought and sold by appointment’

www.guitarcentre.com.au

Emerging Composer Prize (Under 25 years of age)

- $250 cash sponsored by Matt Withers, Australian Guitarist

Each of the above prizes also includes:

Work featured in a recital by Matt Withers in Canberra on November Sunday 13th(*see no.14 T&Cs)

A recording of the work

Feedback from adjudicators may be offered, if requested

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Submission Materials
ENTRY FEE
Each composition is subject to a non-refundable Entry Fee of $30.00 payable to Matt Withers by the
Entry Deadline of Thursday 30th June, 2016. This must be made by either cheque or direct deposit.
Please do not send cash, it will not be accepted.

PRINTED:

□ Signed Entry Form

□ 3 bound copies of the score on A4 paper

ON A CD OR USB:

□ Score (PDF)
□ An MP3/MIDI of the submitted work
□ Artist Biography (200 words) [for use in concert program notes, if successful]
□ Program Notes (200 words) [for use in concert program notes, if successful]
□ Full Resolution Artist Photograph (JPG) [for use in concert program notes, if successful]

ENTRY DEADLINE
Entries will be accepted if received no later than the close of business Thursday 30th June, 2016.

SEND ENTRIES TO
Matt Withers
PO Box 121
Dickson, ACT
2602

DIRECT DEPOSIT
Account Name: M L Withers
BSB: 105-152
Account Number: 033 244 140
Ref: (First initial) + (Last name) + Comp

Please direct enquires to: matt.withers.guitar@gmail.com

FINAL DECISION MADE BEFORE August 31st 2016. All applicants will be notified of results via
email.

RECORDING MADE POST-CONCERT which will be held on Sunday November 13th (*see no.14 T&Cs).

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Entry Form

PERSONAL DETAILS
Name
Email
Phone Number
DOB
Current City
COMPOSITION DETAILS
Name of Work
Duration (based on marked tempo)

□ (Please tick) I am an Australian citizen/resident

I, ____________________, hereby declare that I have read the attached Terms and Conditions on
page 6 and that the submitted work is my own. I have completed the check list and submitted all the
required materials. By signing, and upon payment of the entry fee, I understand the Terms and
Conditions.

Signed ____________________________ Date_____/_____/_____

If under the age of 18, the signature of a parent or guardian is required.

Name ____________________________Relation to applicant ____________________________

Signed ____________________________ Date_____/_____/_____

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Terms and Conditions
1. The Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition 2016 is open to any Australian resident or
citizen.

2. The work must be an original work by the applicant inspired by the artwork ‘Forest’, by Sue Needham. (A
digital copy is available from www.MattWithers.com.au/CompositionCompetition – This artwork is copyright
protected and is not to be reproduced in any form other than single use for the competition)

3. No handwritten scores will be accepted. Scores must be presented using clearly notated computer software.

4. Scores must be bound (comb or spiral).

5. Adequate notes must be provided for any extended techniques, digital delay or prepared CD/audio use.

6. In the event of publication, the winning works’ notes must acknowledge the Matt Withers Australian Music
Composition Competition 2016.

7. Duration of the work is to be 4-6 minutes. Metronome markings must be clearly marked.

8. The entry fee is non refundable under any circumstance.

9. Incomplete entries will not be considered or followed up on.

10. The adjudication panel will consist of Dr Robert Davidson and Matt Withers.

11. The adjudicators reserve the right to withhold awarding the prizes if no entry is of adequate merit.

12. The adjudicators’ decision is final and no correspondence whatsoever will be entered into.

13. Matt Withers reserves the right to perform multiple entrants’ works in the performance.

14. Matt Withers reserves the right to change the concert date or venue without notice if any unforeseen
circumstances arise.

15. There is no limit to the number of entries by an individual however each entry requires a separate entry form
and fee of $30 received by close of business, Thursday June 30th 2016.

16. Submitted scores will not be returned except in the case of the winning entrants requesting feedback. In this
case, one score will be returned with markings.

17. The adjudicators will not provide feedback for entrants who are not successful in winning one of the four
places.

18. Matt Withers reserves the right to perform the winning works in future concerts.
st
19. The cash prizes will be rewarded following the final decision. The decision will be made before the 31 Aug
2016.

20. The recording will be sent following the performance.

21. Non-cash prizes are not redeemable for cash.

22. The applicants give permission for Matt Withers to use the provided Artist Biography, Program Notes &
Artist Photograph in the concert’s program notes.

23. The recording can be used by the winning applicant for professional publicity, on the applicants’ website and
other social media sites provided Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition 2016 is cited where
possible

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