The Music Society of Myanmar (MSM) Festival and Competition 2019 is now accepting entries for our inaugural Composition Competition! The competition aims to promote cultural and musical exploration, and provide a platform for composers of all ages in Myanmar to develop their skills and be heard.
Composers are invited to compose or arrange for a mixed ensemble of western instruments with traditional instruments of Myanmar, based on the open theme of “Colours of Myanmar”. All works will be played by professional musicians in a public reading session, where composers will interact with musicians and adjudicators. Selected prizewinners will have their works premiered at the Festival Gala Concert.
Composers may write for any combination of instruments from the table below (e.g. a duo of 1 violin and 1 palwei; or an ensemble of all 7 available western instrumentalists and 1 set of pat waing). At least 1 traditional instrument of Myanmar must be used in the composition, with no restrictions on the type and number of traditional instruments used.
Available Instruments: 1 Flute, 2 Violins, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Piano, 1 Mezzo-soprano (voice) Traditional instruments of Myanmar (no restrictions)
The theme “Colours of Myanmar” is open to the composer’s interpretation and creativity.
Categories Composers may choose to take part in either, or both, of the following categories:
Composition Category Submissions for this category should be original compositions based on the theme of “Colours of Myanmar”.
Arrangement Category Submissions for this category should be arrangements of any songs or tunes of Myanmar. There are no restrictions on the genre of songs, be it folk or pop. Arrangements may alter the original songs creatively in any way, such as in style, tempo, or key.
One work from each category will be selected and awarded the Best Composition Prize and Best Arrangement Prize respectively. The two prizewinners will each receive:
A Prizewinner Certificate
A premiere of the prizewinning composition at the Festival Gala Concert by an international team of renowned musicians
2 online masterclasses with Dr Chen Zhangyi (Asst Prof, Composition Faculty, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music) after the Festival
3 online masterclasses with Festival Artist Sulwyn Lok after the Festival
Submission deadline Composers are to email the following materials to info@musicsocietymyanmar.com by 14 July 2019:
Full score in PDF
Parts in PDF
MIDI demo or recording, only if notation software (such as Musescore or Sibelius) is used
Scores may be typed on notation software or handwritten, though the former is preferred.
In addition, composers are encouraged to submit a short bio of themselves and a short synopsis of the submitted work (around 20 - 150 words for each).
Competition criteria:
All Myanmar nationals may enter
No age limit
No entry fee
Works should be no longer than 6 minutes
Works that do not fit the instrumental requirements above will not be considered
Only 1 submission per composer for each category (i.e. you are allowed to submit a total of 1 composition and 1 arrangement)
Works can be of any style and genre, as long as they’re written with the theme “Colours of Myanmar”
All works will be assessed by our panel of adjudicators: Dr Su Zar Zar Sulwyn Lok Saw James Hsar Doe Soe
