Konza Opus 8

Konza Opus 8   ~   Composition Festival   ~   Complete Rules

Konza Opus 8 invites your submission of an original composition for any solo instrument, including voice, or any
combination of instruments with piano accompaniment.

The categories are as follows:

Pre-Junior - (Grades 1-3) - (8 measure minimum)
Junior - (Grades 4-6) - (16 measure minimum)
Intermediate - (Grades 7-9) - (16 measure minimum)
Senior - (Grades 10-12) - (32 measure minimum)

Applications:

1. Students will submit their compositions under a teacher with current membership in KMTA, or KMEA. Teachers
without KMTA/KMEA membership may enter and pay an additional entry fee of $15.00.

2. Individual entries must be on the application form. This form is mandatory and must be attached to each
manuscript.

3. Remit all entry fees in a single check to MAMTA.

4. Mail the Composition Festival application form and manuscripts in a single envelope to:
Konza Opus 8 c/o Glenn’s Music, 413 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Clarification of any entry information may be e-mailed to Konza Opus 8 composition festival coordinator.

5. E-mail confirmation will be given as to the receipt of the manuscript.

6. One composition PER student may be entered with corresponding entry fee.

7. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Submittal of Manuscript Rules:

1. Sharp, legible copy is required. Manuscripts in all divisions must be either handwritten or in the form of a
computer printout. DO NOT SUBMIT THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT. Each student should keep the original
score.

2. Accuracy in fundamentals should be checked by the teacher before the composition is submitted, and
corrections should be made by the student. Other help from the teacher is limited to the teaching of desirable
rules of composition. See #7 for Mentorship.

3. In the Pre-Junior category students may receive assistance from others with TRANSCRIBING ONLY. In all
other categories the work submitted must be done by the entrant. Physically challenged students may dictate to
another person who may write the notation.
3a. Computer generated scores must have complete input by the student. List the hardware and software used
to generate the score.

4. Include bar numbers on compositions, minimum every 5th bar. Tempo marking, dynamics, and other
appropriate editing should be added.

5. The student’s name, pen name, age, or other personal information, cover sheet, or illustrations may not
appear on the manuscripts for any reason. Poems, performance directions, or the student’s annotations will be
accepted.

6. The composition title should be centered on the first page, and should appear in the upper right corner for
each subsequent page. Page numbers should also be placed in the upper right hand corner.

7. Mentorship is provided for each student if requested. Composition-mentors will be available at Glenn’s music
two Saturdays in February and one Saturday in March. Parents and/or guardian must attend the mentoring
sessions. Mentors will review the progress of the composition, and provide suggestions for further notation
and completion of the work. E-mailed requests for mentoring will be required by the first of February and March.
Please e-mail the Konza Opus 8 composition festival coordinator. Mentoring sessions will not be longer than 30
minutes per student. Mentors will be non-paid volunteers.

Judging of compositions:

1. The judge(s) will use the following criteria for evaluating compositions:
> Observance of the basic skills in music manuscript writing:
Understanding of time signature, key signature, note values, rests, and other compositional elements such as
the use of dynamics and tempo marking. If non-traditional notation or Iconic notation is used, the notation must
serve to assist the musicians in the performance of the composition. Footnotes may be provided for clarification
purposes.
> Organization of material:
Composition should utilize clear melodic and rhythmic ideas, show an understanding of phrases and cadences,
show a clear sense of form. Logical use of rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic ideas.
> Creativity and originality.
> Idiomatic writing for instrument(s) chosen.

2. Each student will receive a Certificate of Participation and evaluation sheet used to assess the composition.
The evaluation sheet will be a “positive-encouragement”-based assessment tool for each composition, revealing
the strengths and weaknesses of the composition.

3. All student composers are encouraged to enter their compositions in the KMTA or KMEA composition contest in
2008.

4. Awards will be as follows:

Senior: 1st Place $70   -   2nd Place $40   -   3rd Place $20

Intermediate: 1st Place $50   -   2nd Place $25   -   3rd Place $15

Junior: 1st Place $25   -   2nd Place $15   -   3rd Place $10

Pre-Junior: 1st Place $15   -   2nd Place $10   -   3rd Place $5

Winners will be awarded at the judges discretion. The judge may choose NOT TO AWARD a winner in each
category.

6. All compositions selected for the Konza Opus 8 Music Festival on May 10 will be final and may not be
challenged by teacher, entrants, parents or guardians.

7. Winners will be notified by May 1st. Konza Opus 8 will have a winner’s recital on May 10th. Performance
hall to be announced by May 1st. Cash awards will be forfeited if these compositions are not performed. There
are no restrictions as to who may perform the winning compositions, although the performers should not be
paid. If a composition requires special electronic equipment, the composer is responsible for providing the
electronic equipment needed for the festival performance in May.

Manhattan Area
Music Teachers Association