LESLIE BARKLAMB FLUTE COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2022–2023
In celebration of next year’s 50th anniversary of the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship for flute, the Melbourne Composers’ League (MCL) in conjunction with the Victorian Flute Guild (VFG) is proud to announce a competition for composers to submit original pieces for flute, which will be used as the ‘set pieces’ for the Scholarship in August/September 2023.
Please note: The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2022. A registration fee of $20 AUS per section is required for composers to enter the competition.
The pieces can be for either solo flute, or flute and piano. See below for further guidelines.
There are 5 sections to the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship, each with its own set piece: 11 Years and Under; 13 Years and Under; 15 Years and Under; 18 Years and Under (Intermediate Section); and 25 Years and Under (Senior Section). We are seeking a new set piece for each section of the competition. The requirements for each set piece are given below.
The Senior Section set piece is open to composers of all nationalities, anywhere in the world, of any age.
All remaining sections are open only to composers resident in Australia (of any age).
The winning submissions will be featured at the VFG’s annual competition, the Leslie Barklamb Scholarship, in August/September 2023. The winning composition will be performed by all the contestants at the preliminary stages of the competition and again at the finals concert, where the winners of the junior sections perform the winning pieces, and the finalists of the Intermediate and Senior Sections compete for the final prizes.
PRIZES
All prize-winners will have their compositions published in a volume of flute pieces produced by the MCL and VFG. We will also select a ‘second-place’ for each section, and these composers will also be invited to have their pieces published in the volume. Winners are assured of the two performances of their pieces at the preliminary competition and the finals concert. All winners will receive a recording of their pieces.
TIMELINE AND DEADLINES
The timeline for the Leslie Barklamb Flute Composition Competition is as follows:
1) 31 December 2022: Deadline to submit a score of the composition.
2) 15 January 2023: Winning composers announced
3) August–September 2023: VFG Preliminary sections and finals concert take place in Melbourne.
All composers will be sent a recording of the winning pieces.
GUIDLELINES FOR THE SET PIECES [Indicated playing ranges must be strictly adhered to]
All compositions must be original compositions, unpublished. (We are seeking new pieces specifically composed for this competition rather than compositions composed for other purposes). The judging panel will comprise two independent panellists from the MCL and two from the VFG.
Please note: The Senior Section set piece is open to composers of all nationalities to enter, anywhere in the world, of any age. All remaining sections are open only to composers resident in Australia (of any age). The compositions can be for solo flute, or for flute accompanied by piano.
The requirements for composers for each section are as follows:
Junior Section: 11 Years and Under. [Open only to composers who are Australian residents, all ages]
The approximate standard is 2nd Grade (AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College)
Range: 2 octaves from middle C to C2
Maximum duration: 2 minutes
Junior Section: 13 Years and Under. [Open only to composers who are Australian residents, all ages]
The approximate standard is 3rd Grade (AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College)
Range: 2 ½ octaves from middle C to G3
Maximum duration: 3 minutes
Junior Section: 15 Years and Under. [Open only to composers who are Australian residents, all ages]
The approximate standard is 4th Grade (AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College)
Range: 2 octaves plus 6th from middle C to A3
Maximum duration: 4 minutes
Intermediate Section: 18 Years and Under. [Open only to composers who are Australian residents, all ages]
The approximate standard is 6th Grade (AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College)
Range: 3-octave range from middle C to B3
Maximum duration: 5 minutes
Senior Section: 25 Years and Under. [Open to all composers, all ages, all nationalities, without restriction]
The approximate standard is 8th Grade (AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College)
Range: Full 3-octave range from middle C to C4
Maximum duration: 8 minutes
Please note: Whilst we encourage composers to highlight both the virtuosic and melodic/timbral qualities of the flute, the use of extended techniques and all compositional styles are welcomed.