ACC News

The Guild of Temple Musicians Ben Steinberg Young Composer's Award 2019

February 12, 2018

Financial prize up to $2,500 and a premiere in Atlanta GA at the 2019 ACC-GTM Convention

Composition Requirements:

The 2019 requested work is a piece (or pieces) 3 - 8 minutes in duration for a solo voice with piano accompaniment using any Jewish text (service liturgy, poetry, prose).  We are looking for melodies that are fresh, original, interesting and compelling and a piano accompaniment that demonstrates a creative and insightful use of the keyboard, while still tastefully and artistically supporting the vocal line.  We welcome innovative harmonic and rhythmic motives.  While using Hebrew is not required, if the composer chooses to set Hebrew text, we are looking for an understanding of the Hebrew language and its accents/syllabification. While we encourage composers to explore using Jewish modes, nusach and melodies, our jury will look at how the submitted work shows a Jewish sensibility and displays a palpable Jewish consciousness.


Scores must be printed in full by the composer and contain all necessary dynamics, tempi, etc. (chorded "charts" or tapes are unacceptable).  Pdf files are preferable to hard copies. The composer's name should appear only on the first page of the score.  Midi/mp3 recordings are required as well;
Candidates may submit more than one entry in any given year. New submissions may be sent during succeeding years, but no candidate may win the award more than twice;
Submitted pieces must have been written no earlier than one year before the submission date, and be unperformed as well as unpublished at the time of the scheduled premiere;  Applicants must also ensure that the piece(s) are submitted only for the YCA and no other competitions.  The GTM holds exclusive rights to the premiere of the winning composition.
The jury reserves the right not to award a prize in any given year, or to declare co-winners and/or honorable mentions.

Qualifications of Candidates:

Applicants should be Jewish composers from any country, at least 18 years of age by the submission date, and born on or after January 1, 1983.

Submission Directions:

Submissions (pdf versions of the score, BSYCA Application and midi files/mp3) are to be sent via email to: david.shukiar@thegtm.org AND dshukiar@adatelohim.com or via snail mail to David Shukiar, Chairman, GTM Young Composer's Award, c/o Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 East Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA  91362.
Applicants intending to submit a work should notify the Chairman when this decision is made. If further questions arise, David Shukiar may be reached by e-mail at david.shukiar@thegtm.org or dshukiar@adatelohim.com.
Submission deadline for pieces: NO LATER THAN Friday, July 27, 2018 (postmarked) by midnight, Pacific Standard Time.
Please see http://thegtm.org for more information.

Purpose of Award: 
To encourage gifted young Jewish composers to create worthwhile and appealing music for Jewish worship and Jewish concert programming;
To encourage the composition of musically literate, Jewishly appropriate musical settings which will be of lasting, practical use for religious services or concert performances, following the compositional form and design to be announced each year;
To encourage Jewish communities throughout North America and beyond, to listen to, perhaps participate in, and above all to value Jewish musical expressions of quality which are reflective of its own time.

The Award:

Cash prize between $1,500 and $2,500 (the jury will determine the amount of the award based on merit and if there is a desire to award more than one composer);
A premiere performance of the winning piece(s) or a portion of the winning piece(s), at a North American Jewish Congregation or at the American Conference of Cantors/Guild of Temple Musicians National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia between June 23 - 27, 2019 (specific place and date of premiere to be determined by the GTM);
Transportation and accommodation costs within North America for the winning composer to attend the premiere, at which he/she agrees to be present;
Automatic submission of the winning piece to Transcontinental Music, for publication consideration;
One year's free membership in the Guild of Temple Musicians.

Criteria For Selection of Winning Entry:

Musical worth (the value of the piece's potential contribution to the field of Jewish Music);
Judaic appropriateness (stylistic understanding etc.);
Practical usability (the possibility of further performances).

More information, please visit The Guild of Temple Musicians at http://thegtm.org.