The American Bandmasters Association

OSTWALD AWARD—CASH PRIZE OF $5,000

Rules

The 2009 contest is for music from all grades of difficulty (1 - 6) written after November of 2007. The 2011 contest will change direction, focusing on music written after November, 2007, at the grade 3 or four level.

The ABA/Ostwald Award was the first competition for compositions of band music in the United States, and is one of the most prestigious awards in that field. Since 1956 it has stimulated the creation of many important new compositions, thereby enriching the entire spectrum of concert band activity. Because of its continuity, this award has produced more concert band music than any other competition of its kind. Literally thousands of musicians have performed the works of contest winners for their appreciative audiences.

The Contest Committee composed of ABA members, reviews the rules, then screens and judges the entries. Entries are unidentified as to composer and are judged entirely on merit, thereby insuring complete artistic integrity.

The winning composition will be performed during the 2010 annual American Bandmasters Association Convention in Charleston, South Carolina.

1. All entries must be received by the ABA/Ostwald Committee (hereinafter referred to as Committee) no later than November 6, 2009.

2. Entries must be original compositions for band that were composed after November 9, 2007. No transcriptions/arrangements (except those of the composer’s own work) will be eligible. Members of the ABA may not enter the contest.

3. The composition should be conceived and constructed so as to be performed effectively by professional, university and high school bands, thereby encouraging the widest possible exposure of significant new band music to performers and listeners alike. The work should be of such depth and scope as to require full symphonic band instrumentation, approximately as follows: Flute/s, Oboe/s, Bassoon/s, 1st-2nd-3rd Bb Clarinets, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone/s, Bb Tenor saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Cornets/Trumpets (at least three parts), 1st-2nd-3rd-4th F Horns, Trombones (at least three parts), Euphonium/s, Tuba/s, Percussion. Score may include Piccolo, English Horn, Eb Clarinet, Eb Alto Clarinet, Eb and/or Bb Contra Bass Clarinet/s, String Bass, etc. Percussion may include Piano or any other keyboard instrument, and anything else from which a sound can be produced. The composer may specify one player per part (Wind Ensemble) or multiple players per part (Symphonic Band).

4. There is neither a time limit on the length of entries or a limit on the number of movements. It is suggested that one movement works be limited to 8-10 minutes, but this is not a requirement.

5. Submit only the full score of the composition. (Do not send the instrumental parts.) A good recording on cassette tape or compact disc using the instrumentation indicated on the score, i.e. not MIDI, must also be included.

6. The composer’s name must not appear on the score. A sealed envelope with the name, address, and phone number of the composer should be affixed to the title page of the score.

7. Compositions submitted to the Committee for consideration may not be performed in any concert of an ABA convention prior to 2010.

8. The winning composition will be selected at least 45 days prior to the current convention of the ABA.

9. The award will be announced immediately after the winner has been selected, usually in the third week of December after the entry deadline. The winning work will be performed at the current convention of the American Bandmasters Association. Depending on the length of the work, the Committee may decide to use an abbreviated version of the winning composition at this performance.

10. The composer of the winning composition will receive a cash prize. The prize entitles the ABA to performance rights at any future ABA conventions. The composer must furnish a score and a set of parts for the Ostwald winning work at no charge to ABA. Some travel expenses will be paid by the ABA to the composer to attend the 2010 Convention.

11. The Committee, by a three fourths vote, has the option of withholding the award if no entry merits the award.

12. All rights in the work, including copyrighting and negotiating with publishers for publication, remain with the composer, except for performance rights at ABA conventions. (See #10 above.)

13. A composer may win the contest only two times, after which he or she is ineligible to enter the contest again.

14. The Committee will exercise all precautions to insure that manuscripts and recordings are returned safely, but cannot assume the responsibility for losses in transit. Return postage must be included with the entry. The score and recordings should be wrapped securely, with the outside of the package reinforced with plastic sealing tape.

15. A composer may submit more than one entry, but all entries must be sent separately. Compositions transmitted via fax will not be accepted. Composers should send manuscripts and recordings and direct all inquiries to the chairman of the Committee:

Stephen Steele, Chairman
ABA/Ostwald Committee
Illinois State University/Bands
Campus Box 5660
Normal, IL 61790-5660
Phone (309) 438-8833 fax (309) 438-2477
ssteele@ilstu.edu