Hugh Davidson Composer Readings

Each season, the VS puts out a call for composers to submit new work to the symphony. Dedicated to the late Hugh Davidson, a strong supporter of new music, this program provides the opportunity for composers writing music for orchestra to have their pieces rehearsed by the VS, receive feedback, and an archival recording of their work.

Hugh Davidson Readings 2024
Yariv Aloni, conductor
April 6th, 2024: 2:00pm & 6:00pm at Wingate Studio

Facilitated by VS Composer-Mentor in Residence, Rodney Sharman

The late Hugh Davidson - Victoria Symphony supporter and friend

2:00-4:30pm Reading:

Leslie Opatril – Tree Lines

David Foley – Sinnlose Maschinen

Taras Luka – A Journey For Two

Ashton Latimer – Purification

Joanne Na – Hide And Seek

6:00-8:30pm Reading:

Glenn Sutherland – Regeneration

Nicholas Marriott – The Tingle

Christian Sutton – Birds in Sagami Province

Simon Rasmussen – Gyre

Brad Howland – Interlude

ELIGIBILITY & GUIDELINES

Applicants must be a resident of British Columbia, Canada. Applicants who are from British Columbia but currently study outside of the province are eligible to apply. If such an applicant is successful, the cost of travel and accommodation is at their own expense. There are no age restrictions.

Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration. Works that have been professionally performed are not eligible. Works previously submitted to the VS for consideration may be resubmitted. Compositions must be less than fifteen minutes in length. A portion or movement from a longer work may also be considered.

Works must be scored for a maximum instrumentation of:

Woodwinds: 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes (2nd doubling English horn), 2 clarinets (2nd doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (no doubling)

Brass:  4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (2 tenor, 1 bass), 1 tuba

Percussion: Timpani (1 player) + 1 percussion player

Harp: 1 player

Strings: violin I, violin II, viola, cello, double bass

String count: 6, 5, 4, 4, 2

Additional players can be provided at the expense of the composer. Piano costs may include rental and tuning fees. Works with soloists will be considered. Soloist(s) will be provided by the composer without cost to the Victoria Symphony. Indigenous composers are welcome to include vocal and instrumental soloists from their traditions. Costs for Indigenous performing artists may be covered by the Victoria Symphony on a case-by-case basis.

Works employing electronics, MIDI and digital technology will be considered. The orchestra, however, may not be amplified. Any and all electronics must be provided by the composer without cost to the Victoria Symphony.

All successful composers must be prepared to provide professional, legible orchestral parts and conductor score prepared according to the MOLA (Major Orchestra Librarians Association) guidelines (PDF attached). Parts and scores must be in booklet format at a size of either 9×12 or 10×13 inches. Additional information can be provided for printing services. Please do not include bow markings in the score or parts except those already indicated as part of the composition.

A complete submission must include the following:

  • Cover letter with name, contact information, work title, instrumentation and duration. If the work has been performed previously, please list dates and presenters.
  • PDF of score, clearly labeled with the composer’s name, title of the work, instrumentation (including percussion requirements), and duration.
  • Link to a midi or live recording, if available (optional).
  • A current resumé.

DOWNLOAD PDF

APPLICATION EVALUATION 

The quality of the score submitted is the primary evaluation criteria. It is therefore in the applicant’s best interest that the score be clear, accurate, and the best representation of the composer’s work. Incomplete, illegible, or late applications will not be considered.

Successful applicants will be contacted within 12 days of the submission deadline.

PDFs of the final scores and string parts from successful applicants are due at 4:00pm, Wednesday January 31, 2024. Print copies of the scores and all orchestral parts are due at 4:00pm, Friday February 23, 2024.

Please note, all successful applicants are expected to attend the reading/recording session.

Applications should be submitted by email later than 11:59pm on Sunday January 7, 2024: soile@victoriasymphony.ca

Contact Soile Stratkauskas, soile@victoriasymphony.ca with any questions.

This program is funded by the Hugh Davidson Fund at the Victoria Foundation and underwritten in part by the John H. & Margery M. McEown Trust for the Performing Arts, and the Sunflower Fund.