A Fanfare for Quantum Leap - Composition Competition

Quantum Leap is currently being built in Shrewsbury town centre as a memorial to Charles Darwin, born here 200 years ago. This stunning sculpture will be one of the largest pieces of public art in the country and sits opposite the brand new Theatre Severn on the banks of the river.

To mark the completion of Quantum Leap this summer a fanfare will be played across the river between the memorial and the Theatre. To select the fanfare played there is a competition open to composers to create a new piece of music as detailed below:

The Competition is open to anyone.

The piece should be written for two brass ensembles and percussion to be placed on opposing sides of the River Severn,

The Fanfare should last no more than 3 minutes maximum.

Composers should take into account the difficulties associated with co-ordinating two such groups, and also the varied standard of players who will be drawn from the best county musicians.

Scores may be presented as hand-written, or in a suitable format such as Sibelius.

2 or more copies should be submitted for judging purposes.

The judges will make their decision based on several factors:

1) Arresting and exciting musical ideas.
2) A practical approach to the writing of the piece.
3) Music that is effective without being too demanding.
4) Clarity of texture and ideas.
5) Music which captures the spirit of the sculpture, its location and the theme of the River Severn, over which the fanfare will be played

The Closing date for entries is Wednesday 1st July 2009

The winning entry will be announced as soon as possible after this date.

Prize of £250 for the winner provided by Whittingham Riddell

For further details about Quantum Leap visit www.discoverdarwin.co.uk
Please send your entries to:
Dominic Wallis, Rowley's House, Barker Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QH
01743 281045
dominic.wallis@shrewsbury.gov.uk

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