Download 2018 Azrieli Music Prizes Call for Submissions

2018 Azrieli Music Prizes
Call for Submissions
Established in 2014 by the Azrieli Foundation, The Azrieli Music
Prizes (AMP) offer opportunities for the creation, performance
and celebration of excellent new Jewish Music.
Deadlines:
The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music – Sunday May 7, 2017
The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music – Sunday November 5, 2017
The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music
The Azrieli Prize of $50,000 CAD is awarded biennially through a competitive process to a composer who
has written the best new major work of Jewish Music. Open to the international music community,
individual works can be nominated by individuals and institutions from all nationalities, faiths,
backgrounds and affiliations, and submitted to the AMP Jury through the open call for scores. Works
may have been premiered within ten years of the award date, but must not have a significant
performance history, and must not have been commercially recorded.
The winning work will be performed by a major Canadian orchestra as part of the AMP Gala Concert,
scheduled for the fall of 2018 and subsequently audio recorded to commercial quality.
The winning composer will be invited to attend the rehearsals and performance of their work, and be
publicly honoured at the AMP Gala Concert.
Eligibility
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Nominations will be accepted for individual works written by living composers.
o Multiple nominations of works by the same composer will not be accepted.
Only works written and/or premiered after January 1, 2008 are eligible for nomination.
Nominated works:
o may have already received a premiere performance;
o must not have been commercially recorded (such works are ineligible); and
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must be at least fifteen (15) minutes and no longer than twenty-five (25) minutes in
duration.
Nominations may be submitted by individuals and institutions of all nationalities and of all
faiths, backgrounds and affiliations.
Composers of nominated works may be of any age, experience level, nationality, faith,
background or affiliation.
Any nominator (individual person or institution) may submit a maximum of two (2) nomination
packages, each of which must be for a different composer and their work.
Eligible works must be shown to be relevant to Jewish Music (a written statement of relevancy
may be provided.) Please see the Foundation’s definition of ‘What is Jewish Music’ below to
ensure that the nominated work complies. All works that do not comply with this definition will
be disqualified.
The Nomination Package
Please note: all documents and media must be submitted electronically via the online nomination form.
All Nomination Packages must include:
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a complete nomination form;
a complete work description form;
a biographical note on the composer of the nominated work (not to exceed 500 words),
including pertinent information as to the composer’s engagement with Jewish Music;
the full score of the nominated work in PDF format;
o It is the responsibility of the nominator to ensure clarity and legibility of the score.
an audio recording of the nominated work (if possible) or a MIDI simulation in MP3 format,
where a recording is not available;
where a nominated work contains text not written by the composer, then proof of the right to
use the selected text; and
a written explanatory note (not to exceed 1 000 words) describing those aspects of the
nominated work which are relevant to Jewish Music.
Guidelines for Nominated Works
All nominated works must meet the following guidelines to be given consideration.
Any work that does not meet these guidelines will be disqualified.
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Nominated works must:
o demonstrate their relevance to the Prize theme – a celebration of excellence in new
Jewish Music; and
o be scored for a minimum of seventeen (17) string musicians (i.e. string orchestra) and a
maximum of fifty-one (51) musicians of mixed instrumentation (i.e. Mozart orchestra)
 Maximum Instrumentation for nominated works is as follows:
 Brass: 2 trumpets / 2 trombones / 4 horns / 1 tuba
 Winds: 2 flutes / 2 oboes / 2 clarinets / 2 bassoons
 Strings: 8 1st violins / 8 2nd violins /6 violas /4 cellos /4 double basses
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 Harp
 Timpani
 Percussion (2)
Nominated works may feature:
o a soloist (vocal or instrumental); and/or
o pre-recorded digital media.
The Composer of the prize-winning work agrees to:
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have his or her work performed on the occasion of the AMP Gala Concert (Fall 2018);
have their work audio recorded to commercial quality;
be available in person for the rehearsals and performance of their winning work; and
participate in outreach events, workshops, press conferences, media interviews, and other such
promotion and education activities as they relate to the Prize and its objectives to educate the
general public about the universal appeal and artistic importance of works that result from engaging
with the topic of Jewish Music.
The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music
The Azrieli Commission is open to Canadian composers of all faiths, backgrounds and affiliations, with
the aim of encouraging creative and critical engagement with the question ‘What is Jewish Music?’*
A commissioning prize of $50,000 CAD is awarded biennially to the Canadian composer who proposes a
response to this question that displays the utmost creativity, artistry and musical excellence.
The musical work resulting from the Prize will be premiered by a major Canadian orchestra as part of the
AMP Gala Concert, scheduled for the fall of 2018, and subsequently audio recorded to commercial
quality.
The winning composer will be invited to attend the rehearsals and the world premiere of their prizewinning work, and be publicly honoured at the AMP Gala Concert.
* Please see the Foundation’s definition of ‘What is Jewish Music’ below to ensure that the proposed work
complies with the selection criteria.
Eligibility
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Proposals will be accepted from Canadian citizens and permanent residents of all ages and levels of
experience.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of all faiths, backgrounds and affiliations are eligible to
submit a proposal.
Eligible composers must prove within the body of their submission the relevancy of their proposed
composition to the Prize theme – a celebration of excellence in new Jewish Music
The Proposal Package
Please note: all documents and media must be submitted electronically via the online application form.
All Proposal Packages must include:
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a completed application form;
proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency;
a current curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant training, experience, performances and awards;
a works list detailing all relevant completed works, their premiere dates and recordings, where
applicable;
a written proposal (not to exceed 1 000 words) describing the proposed work, including pertinent
technical and aesthetic details, as well as an explanation of the work’s relevance to Jewish Music;
where a proposed work contains text not written by the composer, then proof of the right to use
the selected text; and
two musical excerpts of the composer’s music – both score and audio recording – not to exceed
three (3) minutes each.
o Selected excerpts should demonstrate the composer’s aptitude for writing orchestral
compositions and/or Jewish Music.
o Scores must be submitted in PDF format, audio recordings in MP3 format.
o MIDI or piano reduction recordings may be submitted where live audio recordings are
unavailable.
Optional: Applications may be accompanied by no more than three letters of recommendation or
reference.
Guidelines for Proposals
All proposed works must meet the following guidelines to be given consideration by the Jury.
Any work that does not meet these guidelines will be disqualified.
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Proposals must be for new works yet-to-be-written (i.e. the work may not be completed at the
time of application.)
Proposed works are to be a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes and a maximum of twenty-five (25)
minutes in duration.
Proposed works must be scored for a minimum of seventeen (17) string musicians (i.e. string
orchestra) and a maximum of fifty-one (51) musicians of mixed instrumentation (i.e. Mozart
orchestra)
Maximum Instrumentation for nominated works is as follows:
o Brass: 2 trumpets / 2 trombones / 4 horns / 1 tuba
o Winds: 2 flutes / 2 oboes / 2 clarinets / 2 bassoons
o Strings: 8 1st violins/ 8 2nd violins/ 6 violas / 4 cellos / 4 double basses
o Harp
o Timpani
o Percussion (2)
Works may feature:
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a soloist (vocal or instrumental); and/or
pre-recorded digital media.
The Composer of the winning work agrees to:
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engage in the composition of their proposed work during the time allotted between the
announcement of them as the Prize Winner and the deadline for submitting the score and parts
to the performance partner for the AMP Gala Concert;
report to the Manager, Azrieli Music Initiatives any major deviations from the original proposal
over the course of composition, so that such deviations may be adequately discussed and
negotiated;
have their work performed as part of the AMP Gala Concert and subsequently audio recorded;
be available in person for the rehearsals and performance of their work;
grant the Azrieli Foundation the right to serve as primary commissioner, thereby retaining
performance rights for the premiere as well as first recording rights. (The winning composer
may apply for supplemental funding from other sources, as necessary.); and
participate in outreach events, workshops, press conferences, media interviews and other such
promotion and education activities as they relate to the Prize and its objectives to educate the
general public about the universal appeal and artistic importance of the works that result from
engaging with the topic of Jewish Music.
Letters of Reference (optional)
No more than three referees may submit letters of reference on behalf of the applicant.
All letters should clearly indicate the applicant’s name at the top of the page, as follows:
“(Candidate’s Name) Letter of Reference, Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music”
All letters of reference should be received via postal mail at the following address:
Attn: Jason van Eyk
Azrieli Music Prizes
22 St. Clair Ave. East, Suite 202
Toronto, ON M4T 2S3
Some Tips & Hints on How to Make a Successful Submission
In addition to the guidelines and requirements stated above, the AMP Jury has provided the following
tips and hints to help shape a more successful submission:
1) Don’t worry about how Jewish you are (or are not) before considering a submission! People from all
faiths, backgrounds and affiliation are equally welcome to apply their artistry, creativity and
musicality in response to the AMP theme. In fact, one of the Foundation’s hopes for these Prizes is
to generate intercultural understandings through a rich consideration of what is Jewish Music.
2) Carefully consider Dr. Levin's notes below in addressing this question of what is Jewish Music? A
successful submission will suggest an interesting, appropriate yet compelling potential answer to
this question in the shape of a musical work. It calls on the composer to extend their own creativity,
inquisitiveness and thoughtfulness in seeking out this potential answer. It also calls for a deeper,
purposeful and conscious consideration of Jewish values and experience that extends beyond simple
representations of Jewish people or subjects, or simple incorporations of Jewish secular and/or
sacred musical materials.
3) A submission package must be conceptually and musically balanced. Strong, wonderful musical
examples accompanied by insubstantial and/or ill-researched proposals or explanatory notes will
not succeed within the competition. The inverse is also true: strong proposals and/or explanatory
notes will not compensate for lesser musical examples. The two must go hand-in-hand.
4) On a more practical note, please be certain that submitted scores are clear and easily legible.
5) In the case of the Azrieli Commission, please be certain that the CV and musical examples
demonstrate an ability to compose for the available musical forces described in the guidelines
above.
WHAT IS JEWISH MUSIC?
For the purpose of the Azrieli Music Prizes, the Foundation defines “Jewish Music” as broadly as
possible, taking into account the rich and diverse history of Jewish musical traditions, as well as music by
Jews and non-Jews, which may be said to incorporate a Jewish thematic or Jewish musical influence.
Jewish themes may vary broadly, and can include biblical, historical, liturgical, secular and/or folk
elements.
Therefore, the Foundation encourages an understanding of Jewish Music as deeply rooted in history and
tradition, yet forward-moving and dynamic. As such, it encourages themes and content drawn from
contemporary Jewish life and experience.
Jewish Music can*:
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be based purposefully and consciously on musical materials traditionally perceived as belonging
to a specifically “Jewish melos” – sacred or secular;
incorporate actual liturgical melodies or secular folk tunes from any one of numerous distinct
geographic or cultural Jewish traditions;
be based on Jewish historical or biblical subjects, events, or characters, or Jewish legends or
literary themes;
include or be founded upon Jewish texts or Jewish literature (prose, poetry, or drama);
incorporate specifically Jewish languages such as Hebrew, Yiddish, or Ladino;
depict in musical terms, with or without sung or spoken text, visual images of Jewish connection
(landscapes in the land of Israel, for example) or scenes of Jewish religious or folk life (a Hassidic
gathering, a Yemenite Jewish wedding, or daily life of Jews in an eastern European market town,
or shtetl, to cite three examples);
express moods of Jewish life-cycle events or holy days;
give voice to Judaic ideas or concepts; and/or
have been composed expressly for a Jewish commemoration, celebration, ceremony, or other
occasion—conceived in some way to represent the nature of that occasion.
*excerpted from Dr. Neil W. Levin, The Milken Archive of Jewish Music