The annual ASME Queensland Young Composers’ Competition provides the opportunity for young composers from across the state to submit their own works for critique and assessment by our adjudicators who work as professional composers in Australia and vie for a prize at our awards ceremony. Previous entrants and winners of the Young Composers’ Competition have gone on to study composition at a tertiary level or work in the music industry as professional composers.
The Senior Vocal/Instrumental prize is presented as a memorial to Matthew Sorensen, a former winner of the Young Composers’ Competition. ASME Qld is forever grateful to Matthew’s family for their generous support of this prize.
The Senior Songwriting first place will be presented with the Elizabeth Pratt Memorial Prize.
Entries open from the 10th of July
Young Composers from Years 1 to 12 attending a Queensland school can enter their works across three sections in 2023: Electronic Music, Song Writing and Vocal/Instrumental.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Topology Vocal/Instrumental Section
While the style/genre of this section can be from classical through to contemporary, the compositions are to be specifically written for an instrument/s (solo or any combination of ensemble) and/or vocal (art song or choral, but not in song writing style).
Electronic Music Section
Within this section, students are able to submit compositions that make use of loops (previously generated or original), compositions that make use of sampling and those compositions which specifically manipulate sound sources through digital means. Please note that compositions that make use of notational software are to be entered into the vocal/instrumental section.
Song Writing Section
Within this section, students can submit an original work (music and lyrics) in a contemporary, pop, rock or folk style. This is the only section in which a group entry is permissible. A maximum of 5 students may be in the group. Prizes for this section will be shared among the group members.
AGE DIVISIONS & ENTRY FEES
Entries for 2023 will be accepted in all sections for the following age divisions:
- Junior: Years 1 to 6
- Lower Secondary: Years 7 to 9
- Upper Secondary: Years 10 to 12
The 2023 Entry Fees for the competition across all sections will be:
- Junior Division: $15 per entry
- Lower Secondary Division: $20 per entry
- Upper Secondary Division: $20 per entry
PRIZES
Please Note: Monetary value of all prizes will be awarded either in cash or gift vouchers.
Junior Divisions
- First: $50
- Second: $30
- Third: $20
Lower Secondary Divisions
- First: $80
- Second: $50
- Third: $30
Upper Secondary Divisions
- First: $130
- Second: $70
- Third: $50
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Junior: Min. 30 sec, 8 bars: Max. 3 mins
Lower Secondary: Min. 1 min, 16 bars: Max. 5 mins
Upper Secondary: Min. 2 mins, 32 bars; Max. 5 mins
All entries for YCC are to be submitted electronically.
Vocal/Instrumental Section – PDF and mp3 file
Electronic Music Section – wav file is preferred but mp3 file is accepted. Also, 2-4 screenshots of arranging window (click here for examples)
Songwriting Section – wav file is preferred but mp3 file is accepted
A short paragraph outlining the intent of the composition must be included and submitted in PDF format.
Entries close on the 1st of September 2023
Click here to enter: https://www.trybooking.com/CISHH
YCC
Highly commended students will receive a prize from 4MBS.