The ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission

The Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) is pleased to announce the 2010 ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Composer Commissioning Program.

The ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commissioning program commissions new electro-acoustic compositions from student composers. The purpose of this program is to stimulate student participation in SEAMUS activities, and to encourage young composers to pursue creative endeavors in electro-acoustic music. The program is administered by SEAMUS and funded by Frances Richard and the American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

First Prize

• Commission of $1250 for a new work of electro-acoustic music
• Performance of the commissioned work at the 2010 SEAMUS National Conference
• Performance of the submitted work at the 2009 SEAMUS National Conference
• Recording of the submitted work on the SEAMUS Compact Disc Series
• Certificate of recognition

Second Prize

• Commission of $750 for a new work of electro-acoustic music
• Performance of the commissioned work at the 2010 SEAMUS National Conference
• Performance of the submitted work at the 2009 SEAMUS National Conference
• Certificate of recognition

Eligibility

You must be a student currently enrolled in an academic course of study that leads to a high school diploma, or baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree in music or electro-acoustic music, or a program that includes electro-acoustic music and related fields. This competition is open to student members of SEAMUS who are United States citizens or legal residents of the United States and students enrolled in an academic course of study within the United States.

Deadline

Applications must be postmarked by October 15, 2009

Applying

All student submissions to the 2009 SEAMUS National Conference will be considered for the Student Commission. To apply for the National Conference, follow the directions on the conference website.

A selection committee appointed by the SEAMUS board of directors reviews student submissions accepted by the National Conference and selects four finalists. During the conference, the SEAMUS Board of Directors will review the works of the finalists and select the winner(s).

For more information, consult the official entry form.

Background

In 1991, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the SEAMUS Board of Directors banded together to recognize a young composer from each national conference whose work showed great promise and potential. Thus was born the ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Composer Award. The prize consisted of a plaque, a modest honorarium, and a place on the SEAMUS Compact Disc Series. In 1995, the award became a commission. The winning composer was invited to write a new piece to be premiered at the next SEAMUS national conference and included on the SEAMUS CD. Beginning in 1998, four finalists were invited to the national conference to hear their works performed. The SEAMUS Board of Directors then selected a first and second prize winner, both of whom received commissions and guaranteed performances on the following year's conference. The winning work for first prize was also placed on the annual conference CD.