Terra Nova Program Guidelines

Gower Community Band “Terra Nova” Program

Awards for New Concert Band Compositions

(April 3, 2024 Submission Deadline)

In 2007, The Gower Community Band (GCB) established a program in conjunction with Memorial University’s School of Music for the encouragement, development, and performance of new Concert Band Compositions and Arrangements in Newfoundland and Labrador. The initiative includes the awarding of annual Composition Prizes, and provides the opportunity for performance to audiences in the Province and beyond. The GCB will encourage other bands to include these new works in their repertoire, with potential compensation to composers and opportunities for further exposure. In this respect, it is important that compositional creativity be expressed within the performance levels and instrumentation of average community or high school bands (i.e. grades 3-4).  

Eligibility: 

Any student enrolled at the School of Music for 2023-2024, including graduating students, may submit work.

Works:

Minimum five (5) minutes duration, written for standard high school or community band, e.g. grades 3-4. Works must have been written in the last two years, and must not have had a public performance. The Gower Community Band retains the right of first performance for award-winning entries, but thereafter performance by other groups, recording, and publication is encouraged. Composers retain proprietary ownership of their works.

Prizes:

A total of $2,000 annually, available as follows: $1,500 for the category of Original Works (see “Award-Winning Works” list below), and $500 for the category of Arrangements (see below), may be awarded in commensurate amounts at the discretion of the judges. Works chosen are performed in special GCB Gala Concerts known as “The GCB Terra Nova Concerts”. This designation carries the connotation of “new lands” for exploration of musical style, form, and creative talent within the limits of performance level and instrumentation as specified.

Instrumentation:

Flutes (div. in 2 or 3 parts; piccolo* optional)

Clarinets (div. in 2 or 3 parts); bass clarinet*

Oboes* (1 or 2 parts)

Saxophones:  Alto (div. in 2 parts), Tenor, Baritone* (Soprano* optional)

Bassoons* (1 or 2 parts)

Trumpets/cornets (div. in 2 or 3 parts)

Horns (div. in 2, 3, or 4 parts)*

Trombones (div. in 2 or 3 parts)

Euphoniums (Bass Clef, transposed part for Treble Clef must also be provided)

Tubas (transposed part for Electric Bass must also be provided)

Percussion in at least 4 parts recommended, including mallet instruments)

*Solos written for instruments marked (*) should be cross-cued in other instruments.

By entering the competition, composers agree to abide by the following submission criteria and guidelines: 

Submission Criteria:

Maintaining composer anonymity for the adjudication process is crucial to this program, so the following submission steps must be followed carefully.

Scores are to be submitted to the main office at the School of Music on or before April 3, 2024, in an envelope without the composer’s name, marked “GCB Terra Nova Program”.  Three bound copies of the score are to be included, bearing no composer’s name and no other markings that show the composer’s identity (work titles are required). Computer-generated recordings (on a USB drive) are strongly encouraged, but are not required. Program Notes are required, and Notes to the Conductor are encouraged. A sealed envelope containing the title of the work, the composer’s name, and the composer’s contact information (email and phone) is to be included in the submission envelope.

If on-campus access is restricted near the submission deadline (due to a pandemic, for example), alternate submission methods using email will be forwarded to MUN School of Music by the director of the Gower Community Band.

It is expected that the Director of the Gower Community Band will be in contact with the winning composers throughout the rehearsal of their works as a vital element of the learning process for the composers and the rehearsal process for the Band. Past award winners have found this direct interface with musicians to be very helpful. 

Guidelines:

1. Composers are advised to check practical instrument ranges (as opposed to absolute instrumental ranges) very carefully in order to remain in the “standard high school or community band” specification. Notes in the extreme high or low range of any instrument should be avoided. Likewise, composers should consider the typical high school or community band levels (grades 3-4) carefully when deciding on the complexity of time signatures, key signatures, and rhythmic patterns. Publishers’ grading and festival syllabi would be helpful aids. 

2. In determining winning submissions, adjudicators will focus primarily on artistic integrity and creativity of the works, but composers should be aware that errors in instrumentation, range, transposition, rhythmic patterns, scoring, or significantly exceeding the grades 3-4 standard will be considered.  Identification of the composer, whether intentional or not, will result in an automatic disqualification. 

3. Composers are expected to ensure that adequate phrasing, dynamics, and articulation marks are provided to enable the correct interpretation of their works.

4. Scores must be submitted with each part transposed appropriately. 

5. Winning composers will be asked to use a computer program to submit Finale-compatible files to the Gower Community Band. These files will be archived in the GCB computer resources for potential future GCB performance of unpublished works only, with the permission of the composers.

Timeline:

Winners will be contacted on or before April 19, 2024, and will need to provide a full, proofread set of parts and program notes to the GCB on or before May 1, 2024. The premiere performance is expected to take place in late 2024, with the exact date to be determined by the GCB. Winning composers are expected to attend a rehearsal of their works in advance of that date as invited by the GCB, and to be present for the concert and as Guests of Honour at the reception which follows.  

GCB Terra Nova Program Award-Winning Works & Composers

2007:  TNP Launch Gala (May 27)  

Commissioned Work Premiere:  Concerto for Horn and Symphonic Band David Gillingham 

(Bruce Bonnell, Soloist, and GCB) 

2008: TNP Gala (November 16) 

First Award:   Liminal Fair    Mark Edwards

Second Award:   GO     Neal Read

Third Award:   Shanshu     Denis John Callaghan

2009: TNP Gala (December 12)

First Award:   Astéroïde B-612    Jessica C. Blenis

Second Award:   Chorale Prelude: 

     Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ  Michael Bramble

Third Award:   Wreckhouse Winds    Kimberly Codner

2010: TNP Gala (October 30)

First Award:   Through the Haze    Aiden Hartery

Second Awards:   Rah Rah Rah    Jessica C. Blenis

You Can’t See It ‘Til It’s Finished  Chris McGee

2011: TNP Gala (October 30)

First Award:   The Knight and his Knemesis        Aiden Hartery 

Second Award:   Overture for a Katet   Bekah Simms

2012: TNP Gala (October 28)

First Award:   Unsubstantiation    Chris McGee

Second Awards:   Lukey’s Lullaby    Aiden Hartery

The Lost Voyager    Colin Taylor

2013: TNP Gala (November 30)

First Award:   Zephyrus     Colin Taylor

Second Award:   Wind and Watercolour   Bekah Simms

2014: TNP Gala (October 19) 

First Award:   December 26, 2004

In memory of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami         Timothy Brennan

Second Award:   Night: Walking in the Shadow of the Earth Jenny Griffioen

2015:  TNP Gala (September 27) 

First Award:   The Traveller    Duane Andrews

2016:  TNP Gala (September 25)

First Award:   The Handful That Survived   Benjamin Taylor

First Award:   Life is a Journey    Kate Thomas

2017:   TNP Gala (October 22)

First Award:   The King’s Procession   Benjamin Taylor

2018:   TNP Gala (October 28)  

First Award: Original Works  Little Nightmares    Austin Meisel

Second Award:   “      “   Swashbuckling George Pearcival  Zachary Greer

Second Award:   “         “    Overcast     Liam Robbins

First Award: Arrangements  Variaciones sobre “La Llorona”  Pallas Loredo 

2019:   TNP Gala (October 27)  

First Award: Original Works  Along the Monchy Fields   Kurtis Rogers

Second Award:   “      “   The Newfie Bullet    Patrick d’Eon

Third Award:      “         “    A Hesitant Venture    Austin Meisel

2020:   TNP Gala (November 25, 2021)  

First Award: Original Works  Fables of Faeries    Austin Meisel

Second Award:   “      “   Voyage Into The Atlantic   Andrew Luther

2023:   TNP Gala (October 14)

First Award:   Equinox: Coming of Spring   Alexander Bessant

The Terra Nova Program was suspended in 2021 due to ongoing issues with COVID-19, and there were no submissions in 2022.

Gower Community Band Terra Nova Program Awards for New Concert Band Arrangements

In 2017, the Gower Community Band’s Terra Nova Program (TNP) was expanded to include the awarding of prizes for new Instrumental Arrangements for Concert Band. 

This awards opportunity, offered as a prize from the Jack Green Memorial Fund in the amount of $500 either as a single award or shared among submissions, is in addition to the existing TNP  award ($1,500) for new Concert Band Compositions (Original Works), and brings the total GCB TNP awards to $2,000 annually. As with the Original Composition awards program, now in its 15th year of successful operation, the purpose is to stimulate the production of new works for community and high school bands in Newfoundland and Labrador and to recognize the importance of skills in the art of arranging.

An instrumental arrangement is a reconceptualization of an existing musical composition. It involves varying or making changes to things such as the original harmonies, meters, form, rhythms, instrumentation, articulations, and melodies. It can include elements such as transitions, modulations, new compositional techniques, introductions, and thematic material. 

Not eligible for awards are transcriptions or “re-orchestrations” of existing works where original notes are simply reassigned to the instruments of the traditional wind band. 

Original source material can include traditional/folk music (for instruments or voice); existing band, orchestra, or choral works; classical, contemporary, and popular music; solo, chamber and symphonic music; and works of any style/genre, and music of other cultures. (Note: If the source music is under copyright, permission to distribute, publish, or record for sale must be obtained. Composers are advised to obtain guidelines on copyright material, available from Memorial University.)  

Examples of successful arrangements for concert band (levels 3-4) are suggested for student reference below. The 12 works in this list include arrangements of folk song material as well as sacred and gospel music, and also helpful information on publishers and audio links.   

While submissions of arrangements will be distinct from those of original compositions, the GCB TNP Guidelines for 2023 apply in terms of deadlines, submissions protocol, anonymity, performance levels, instrumentation, etc. Composers may enter either TNP category, or both, as long as their works are clearly defined and labelled.  Please read the Guidelines carefully to avoid disappointment in the adjudication process. 

EXAMPLES OF ARRANGING STYLE & GENRES IN LEVEL 3-4 BAND MUSIC

Listed by Composer, Title, (Publisher), and links to audio recordings where available

BLACKSHAW, Jodie  Terpsichorean Dances (Manhattan Beach Music)

http://www.manhattanbeachmusic.com/audio/terpsichorean_dances_australia.mp3

CAMPHOUSE, Mark Fantasia on Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair (Alfred)      https://youtube.com/watch?v=fosqZQ5TKWU

CHANCE, John Barnes  Variations on a Korean Folk Song  (Boosey & Hawkes)

https://youtu.be/rY2GHVrjNkE?si=dmvsGj4l_7wkASG0

COPLAND, Aaron   Variations on a Shaker Melody   (Boosey & Hawkes)

https://youtu.be/ApkzLu80ufg

DUFF, James   Petty Harbour Bait Skiff (Alfred)

http://www.alfred-music.com/player/AlfredConcertBand1994/11211/player.html

GRAINGER, Percy  Irish Tune from County Derry and Shepherd’s Hey

(Published as a set by Boosey & Hawkes)

https://youtu.be/qPDvAHgesYw   https://youtu.be/cLlSNHc6bsg?si=OMMF8kyajBf_74U7

HOLSINGER, David  On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason   (TRN)  

https://youtu.be/DejcqsyxbUk

HOLSINGER, David  On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss     (TRN)

https://youtu.be/lqExqgQBrWU?si=xNTyjpLSyJqCixOA

JUTRAS, Andre   Three Folk Miniatures  (Barnhouse)

https://youtu.be/CWiV3lVnado?si=HmoaJN0d18xOH1qc

MARKOWSKI, Michael  Turkey in the Straw  (Manhattan Beach Music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HJToLVHY4

SIRULNIKOFF, Jack       (*) Variations on a Rollicking Tune   (E.C. Kerby, now handled by

Counterpoint Musical Services)

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=3290642

TICHELI, Frank   Amazing Grace (Manhattan Beach Music)        https://youtu.be/a7I0q8u984Q?si=ZEX-JkkSt6aTvyk4

(*)  Highly recommended to see what fun can be had with “I’se the B’y”!!!