Open call: Toru Takemitsu composition award

26 Sep 2024 - 13:21

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Composers around the world are invited to submit scores for the Toru Takemitsu composition award.

Composers should submit two copies of the bound score, together with a completed application form.

The orchestral composition competition will take place in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Young composers from all over the world are urged to submit their newly created works during their preferred competition year (may enter multiple years).

Judgement

Preliminary selection: The judge will screen the submitted scores and select a certain number of works to be performed.
Final selection: Those works selected during the preliminary screening will be performed in concert at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall: Takemitsu Memorial and the year’s award will be decided by the judge following the performance.

Cash award

A total sum of JPY3 000 000 (about $20 800) each year.
The judge may withhold the prize (i.e. in absence of a suitable entry) or divide the prize among multiple entries.
The composers whose works are selected to be performed at the final selection will be invited to attend the concert.

Competition procedure

Eligible scores: Compositions for orchestra in any format except concerto, within the following instrumentation and to be performed with one conductor. Scores that have been published, performed in public concert or commercially recorded before the final concert are not eligible.

Instrumentation

Flute: 3 (may double on piccolo or alto flute)
Oboe: 3 (may double on English horn)
Clarinet: 3 (may double on E-flat or bass clarinet)
Bassoon: 3 (may double on double bassoon)
Horn: 4
Trumpet: 3
Trombone: 3
Tuba: 1
Extra wind: 1 (one extra wind not listed above may be included)
Harp: 2
Keyboard: 2 players (may include piano(s), celesta, synthesiser)
Percussion: 4 players (including Timpani)
Violin: 30
Viola: 12
Cello: 10
Double Bass: 8
A change in instrumentation may be requested by the organiser if unusual wind/percussion instruments are used.
Any keyboard used (synthesisers included) must be easily available in Japan. If a specific model is required, please consult with the secretariat beforehand.
Any applicant requiring inclusion of a keyboard or synthesiser must provide their own programmed sample and tone data, compatible with the model being used.
Computer-based synthesisers, including software synthesisers, may be included but the keyboard player must be able to play the instrument from a piano-style keyboard. The applicant must also prepare the computer, software and interface.
Use of real-time electric amplification/modulation, or accompaniment by recorded sound tape/CD playing is not permitted.