Winds Composition Contest Saxony

Why the Contest

The association of the Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie has the vision to build up a centre of wind music in Saxony. This is meant to show people how diverse wind music is and that it welcomes everyone from everywhere. The contest is held for the sake of a growing interest in wind music as well as it is a tool to connect people all around the world. Another reason why we do the contest is because it helps increasing number of pieces which are written originally for wind ensembles and wind orchestras. That is why every piece has the chance to be performed even if it does not win the contest.

The minimum orchestration is a trio for wind ensemble. The maximum orchestration is a large symphonic wind orchestra, see orchestration list (the numbers reflect the players usually available at Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie):

• 1x piccolo, 3x flute (without B extension), 1x alto flute in G, 2x oboe, 1x cor anglais in F, 1x clarinet in Eb, 9x clarinet in Bb, 1x alto clarinet in Eb, 1x bass clarinet in Bb, 1x contra bass clarinet in Bb, 2x bassoon, 1x contra bassoon in C, 1x soprano saxophone in Bb, 2x alto saxophone in Eb, 2x tenor saxophone in Bb, 1x baritone saxophone in Eb
• 4x trumpet in Bb, 2x flugelhorn in Bb (doubling with cornet in Bb), 4x horn (double horn), 3x tenor trombone, 1x bass trombone, 2x euphonium, 1x tuba in C, 1x bass tuba in C
• 1x timpani (20’’, 23’’, 26’’, 29’’, 32’’, 1 player)
• 3x percussion
• standard percussion instruments available: drum set (incl. 4 toms), pair of cymbals (18’’, 22’’), suspended cymbals (16’’, 19’’, 22’’), concert bass drum, tam-tam (80 cm, 100 cm), castanets, ratchet, wind chimes, 2 triangles, tambourine with head
• standard mallet instruments available: glockenspiel (3 oct, f2-f5), vibraphone (3 oct, f-f3), marimba (4.3 oct, A-c4), xylophone (4 oct, c1-c5), tubular bells (1.5 oct, c5-f6)
• special instruments: if instruments other than listed before should be part of the composition, please contact the WCCS office in advance
• 4x cello, 1x double bass
• 1x piano

All combinations of instruments within the given orchestration are allowed.

Concertos are allowed to be written for a maximum of two soloists. The soloist’s instrument(s) can be of any kind.

The piece(s) may have duration(s) from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 20 minutes.

The piece(s) may have already been performed, published and awarded in competitions other than those organized by SHE LIVES association and Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V.

There are no style limitations. The adjudicators will evaluate the musical quality and originality of the writing.

Each score should be sent in with a separate file.

The piece can be written with a notational software (Sibelius, Finale, etc.). Handwritten pieces are allowed as well if they are clearly legible.

The score itself must not contain any connection to the composer.

The cover page should contain the name of the piece only.

After uploading the score file(s) the WCCS organisation office will register the piece(s) and will change the file name(s) to an anonymous ID code.

Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V. informs you, pursuant to art. 13 and 14 of the GDPR (the new European Regulation 2016/679 – GDPR), that the personal data relating to you is processed in compliance with the law, as well as in compliance with the confidentiality obligations.

With click on the “Send” button the applicant confirms that all entered data will be sent to and saved on a cloud server located in the EU which is used by Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V.

The requested personal data in the application form represents only information which is absolutely needed for organisational purposes: first name, last name, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth, street, house number, post code, city.

The processing of your data will take place with automated and computerized methods. Your data will be communicated to the data processors in charge of managing the service in question. Your data will not be disclosed to third parties or transferred to third countries. The data controller stores and processes personal data for the time strictly necessary to fulfil the indicated purposes. Pursuant to the aforementioned regulation, the data controller informs that the interested parties have the right to request the correction or cancellation of the data processed or the limitation of their treatment. The data controller is Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V.

The adjudicators’ decision is not disputable. A justification of the decision or a feedback to any composition will not be given.

The prize winners are asked to announce their success in their biography and to mention it in their winning score.

The participant confirms that all pieces submitted to the WCCS are eligible to be performed by Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie in one of their future concerts. Thus, on request, the conductor’s score and all single parts of the piece should be provided after the end of the competition without any financial compensation.

If the affected piece(s) to be performed are already published by a publishing house or other juridical person who is member of GEMA association or one of its international partner associations, Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V. will cover the fee to GEMA which would be due.

Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V. is allowed to regulate all cases which are not considered in this regulation setting here.

Dresdner Bläserphilharmonie e.V. is also allowed to make exceptions in special and well-founded cases.

Any legal processes are excluded.

Application Fee

1 score: 55 €
2 scores: 85 €
3 scores: 105 €
4 scores: 125 €
5 scores: 145 €
The application fee is non-refundable.