2023 Orchestration Challenge with Thomas Goss

We’re proud to partner with Thomas Goss of Orchestration Online on our 2023 Orchestration Challenge! This unique event offers our Los Angeles members the opportunity to have their orchestrations played by live musicians and critiqued by Thomas himself. Composers that wish to enter the challenge will be given a melody that they will orchestrate for our ensemble: violins (2), viola, cello, flute, clarinet, horn and harp. We will select 10 orchestrations to be played through by a professional ensemble at Laemmle Theater in North Hollywood on September 23rd. Thomas will give his insight on the orchestrations and facilitate an invaluable discussion. The ASA values the knowledge and participation of our community and we invite everyone local to attend this special event.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED AND THE COMPOSERS ARE NOTIFIED!

Hear some great music, support your colleagues and sharpen your orchestration skills! Get your ticket here.

Competition Details

Deadlines

• Sept. 15 – Orchestrations Due – Upload your score, parts and mock up using the form below!
• Sept. 20 – Selected composers notified
• Sept. 23 – Live Event at Laemmle Theater in North Hollywood (5240 Lankershim Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 91601) Get tickets.

Entry Fee

• To enter the competition, please head over to Eventbrite to purchase a ticket to our event on September 23rd. A link to the challenge materials will be at the bottom of your ticket confirmation email from Eventbrite. ASA member discounts still apply and can be found below by signing in to your account. No additional ticket is necessary to attend the event.

The Challenge

• You’ll receive a PDF with melodic material that does not have rhythm or meter. This will all be up to you. The melody can also be transposed for any key.
• Harmony, textures, etc. are your chance to get creative.
• Total duration cannot exceed 60 seconds.
• You are required to make use of the entire ensemble: violins (2), viola, cello, flute, clarinet, horn and harp.

Score Preparation

• Composers are responsible for submitting PDFs (score and parts) and MP3 mockups using the form below by September 15th.
• Please format your score for 8.5×11”.
• The ASA will print your score for the musicians.
• Your name can be on the score and parts.
• Please also include your first and last name within the filename. Ex- ASAOrchestrationChallenge_FirstLastName.mp3

Selection

• We will be selecting pieces based on creativity, use of ensemble, and readability of your score.
• Keep in mind that this is an educational event, so we will also consider the pieces that we can all learn from!
• We will not consider the production quality of your mockup when selecting pieces.
• We cannot guarantee that your piece will be chosen, but we encourage all entrants to attend regardless, as there will be much to learn from the pieces performed.
• Those composers who are selected for performance are required to be present at our event on September 23rd. If you are not present, your piece will not be performed.

Additional Peer Review Session

• We appreciate everyone who takes time to enter this challenge and we want all entries to have a chance to be peer-reviewed. For the pieces we’re not able to schedule during our September 23rd event, we are planning a Zoom session to continue our orchestration discussion and listen through the remaining entries.
• The date of this event will be announced soon.

All composers retain full rights to the piece they submit. The source melodic inspiration does not require any kind of attribution. Composers who submit a piece agree that the ASA has the right to feature the piece at ASA events, and may record and share the music and event publicly (principally, via its web site and social media networks). If the composer’s piece is performed live at an ASA event, the recording may not be used for commercial purposes.

Submit your materials here!