Open to any UC Davis Music Department graduate student. Also open
to undergraduate composers who have taken composition for at
least two quarters (in Music 103 or 199) and who are currently
enrolled in one of these composition classes. All participant
composers must attend all the concerts and a minimum of two
rehearsals of the UCDSO this season.
Works with a solo instrument or voice (i.e., concertos) will not
be eligible. No harp, piano,
or electronics. Available percussion
instruments: cymbals (3) – temple blocks (3) – wood blocks
(3) – marimba (1) – vibraphone (1) – snare drum (2) – bass drum
(1) – tam-tam (1) – toms (2) – whip (1) – maraca (1) [if you
wish to use additional percussion instruments make sure to check
first]
Duration
Works should ideally be between 4-6 minutes long. If a work is
longer than 6 minutes, it may or may not be read in its entirety.
If a section from the whole needs to be chosen for the reading,
the composer will be responsible for choosing the required
section.
Score / Parts Preparation
It is okay to submit a “C score” or a “transposed
score,” at the composer’s discretion. The composer should
indicate whether the score is in concert pitch or transposed.
Scores should be double-sided, bound, 11×17 and clearly legible.
For the chosen works:
Parts should be made so that musicians can read them properly
from their stand (not too small). They must be bound with
realistic amounts of time left for page turns.
Winds/Brass/Percussion will need one separate part PER MUSICIAN.
Strings will need one separate part PER STAND. If selected for a
public performance, the composer will be responsible for
providing additional parts for all the strings.
Transposition of parts:
Bass clarinet parts should be notated in treble clef written
a major ninth higher than sounding.
Bb-clarinet parts should be notated a major second higher
than sounding.
A clarinet parts should be notated a minor third higher than
sounding.
Piccolo should be written an octave lower than sounding.
Alto flute should be written a fourth higher than
sounding.
English horn parts should be written a fifth higher than
sounding.
Double bass and contrabassoon should be written an
octave higher than sounding.
Marimba and vibraphone should be written at sounding octave
(non- transposing).
NOTE & DISCLAIMER: A piece may be removed from the readings if
parts do not meet these guidelines. The details specified here
are binding and complete. Non-compliance means immediate
disqualification.
Preparation Session
A composition faculty member must review all final scores (and
parts) prior to their submission. It is the student’s
responsibility to arrange a time to meet with a faculty member.
DATES/SCHEDULE
Submission of scores (SCORES ONLY, no parts) from all applicants:
by TBA.
Music Department Main Office
Room 112, Music Building
Attn: UCDSO Composition Award/Readings
1 Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Selection Panel announces* the chosen works on a date TBA
Submission of complete materials of the 2–3 chosen pieces
(printed score and parts + a CD with all the PDFs): by
TBA
A hard copy of the full score and a complete set of parts (plus a
CD/DVD including all the parts as PDFs) should be submitted at
the general music office to the attention of the UCDSO by
TBA
Failure to complete their submission by these dates will
disqualify a candidate.
—All sessions will be recorded—
Readings: TBA (2–3 works maximum)
Final Announcement
One work will be selected* by the composition faculty and the
music director of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for public
performance on June 1, 2021.
* The panel reserves the right to not choose any scores if
their quality is deemed insufficient.
