is pleased to announce

Composition Contest 2019

The Pittsburgh Philharmonic invites applications from residents
of the Greater Pittsburgh Tristate Area.

Please read the attached information for details and further

restrictions.

The Contest Winner

will have their piece performed at
The Pittsburgh Philharmonic’s
May 10 and 11, 2019 Concerts
and will receive a $250.00 prize.
 Rules and Policies of
The Pittsburgh Philharmonic Composition Contest 2019
Eligibility:
1. Applicant must be no older than 35 at time of submission.
2. Applicants will be residents of the Greater Pittsburgh Tristate area or graduates of area schools.
3. The Pittsburgh Philharmonic reserves the right to determine eligibility.

Application Rules and Requirements:

1. Applicants must submit a PDF score and a PDF of a first violin part of their work to plus a
recording or audio rendering in MP3 format postmarked or emailed to the addresses found
below by March 15, 2019. MIDI realizations must also be in MP3 format. There is no
application fee.
2. Applicants will send a completed, signed application with their submitted work (score, parts
and audio) postmarked no later than March 15, 2019 to:
The Pittsburgh Philharmonic
7501 Church St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
3. The Pittsburgh Philharmonic Audition Panel will consist of highly qualified music educators
and professional musicians.
4. Three Finalists will be notified by March 18, 2019.
5. The three Finalists must provide a full set of parts with sufficient string count (8-8-6-6-2) by
March 29, 2019. Parts are acceptable on letter-sized paper. Staff sized for parts is between 7
and 8.5mm
6. The Finalist pieces will be given a reading by the Pittsburgh Philharmonic on April 1, 2019 at
their rehearsal at 7:15 at PYCO School of Music. Reading will be the determinant of the
winner. You are welcome to attend the reading of your composition.
7. All three Finalists will have a recording given to them of their individual reading.
8. All decisions of the Audition Panel will be final.
9. Winner will be notified by April 8, 2019
Piece Rules and Requirements:
1. Duration of work should be no longer than 12 minutes.
2. Entire piece must be completed at time of submission
3. Piece may not be extreme or virtuosic in demands.
4. No concerto will be considered
5. Score is to be on legal or tabloid sized paper in portrait orientation only.
6. Parts are acceptable on letter-sized paper. Staff sized for parts is between 7 and 8.5mm
7. Previously performed works are acceptable
8. Orchestration will not exceed the following:
Strings 8-8-6-6-2 with only up to 2-part divisi in string parts
2 flutes, one may double piccolo
2 oboes, one may double English Horn
2 Bb/A clarinets, one may double Bass
2 bassoons
4 F horns
2 Bb trumpets
2 trombones
1 bass trombone
1 tuba
1 timpani
2 percussion (Snare drum, triangle, bass drum, glockenspiel, cymbals, bongos, sleigh bells,
whip cracks, claves, tambourine, castanets, finger cymbals, maracas, train whistle, police
whistle, cow bell, wood block, shakers, ratchet, djembe, xylophone, whip, cabassa, wind
chimes, timbales, finger cymbals, maracas) if composer writes for any percussion not on
this list and is selected, they must provide that instrument at performance and rehearsal

Competition Winner Information:

1. The Winner will receive a $250.00 prize.
2. Winner will be provided with a professionally performed recording of their piece from the
May concerts.
3. The competition winner will provide a short biography and publicity photo for use in the
program and media outlets.
4. The competition winner will be available for rehearsals with the orchestra on one of the
following rehearsal dates: April 8, 15, or 22 2018 at 7:15 at PYCO School of Music.
5. Performances will be held at Quaker Valley Middle School on May 10 and Butler County
Community College on May 11, 2019.
 The Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Young Composer Contest 2019

Applicant Information

Name__________________________ ____________ Date of Birth___/___/_____

Address__________________________ _________________________________

City__________________ ____ County ______ _____State____ Zip Code______

Email___________ _________ Phone Number_____________________________

Parent’s Names _________________________ ____________________________

Address (if different) _______________________ __________________________

Email___________ _________ Phone Number_____________________________

Education Information
Current School__________________ _____________Year___________________

School Address_____________________ __________ School Phone____ ______

Principal Instructor__________________________ Email______ _____

Instructor’s Institution _______________________ __________________________

Years of Private Study_____________

Awards, Competitions, Workshops, and Summer Programs____________ _______

___________________________________________________________ _______

_________________________________________________________________________
Submission Information
Title_____________________________ _______ Recording type_____ ____

Duration (mins.) ___ _____

Instrumentation (shorthand)_________________________ _____________________

Performance history__________________________________ __________

_____________________________________________________________ ____

I certify all the information provided on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge.
I have read the Rules and Policies of The Pittsburgh Philharmonic Composition Competition
I understand all decisions the Audition Panel will be final.

Applicant Signature____________________________ _____________________

Parent Signature (if under 18) ___________________________________________________

Send this completed application, an audio recording or rendering in MP3 format, a score and a first
violin part that meets the specifications above to:

The Pittsburgh Philharmonic

7501 Church St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Email: info@pghphil.org

Entries must be received by March 16, 2019.

All entries will receive a confirmation email.
Questions? Contact info@pghphil.org