The Flute Choir Call for Scores is open to composers who write original works for flute choir/flute orchestra. Compositions must be no longer than twelve minutes as demonstrated by the required recording. Works must include a minimum of six parts, including any combination of instrumentation of piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, and optional contrabass flute, but no other non-flute instruments or electronic tracks. If the score as originally conceived by the composer includes any other acoustic instruments, or a pre-recorded electronic part, the composer must include replacement or substitute part(s) to be played by a member of the acoustic flute family. Compositions will be judged according to their function and effect as a completely flute-based work. The winning composition will be performed at the NFA Convention by one of the auditioned flute choirs with no additional instruments or electronics. Please provide a recording of the work using only members of the flute family, synthesized flute voices, or string voices, as suggested in the information in Additional Submission Suggestions below.
This annual competition selects one work each year to be premiered by the Professional Flute Choir, High School Flute Choir, or Collegiate Flute Choir, in rotation. This year's winning composition will be performed by the Collegiate Flute Choir during the 2022 NFA Convention in Chicago. The winning composition will also be displayed in the Exhibit Hall during the convention and deposited in the NFA Music Library at the University of Arizona. No prize money is awarded for this competition.
By submitting an entry to this competition, you are attesting that the work has not yet been performed at a National Flute Association Convention (this is a new guideline; previously it was required to be a world premiere). The NFA reserves the right to disqualify any submission that fails to follow these rules of eligibility. Submissions are judged anonymously. Remove any identifying composer or copyright information from submitted scores, parts, and sound files or recordings. Entries are limited to two per composer, per year. Winning composers are eligible to submit scores again after an interval of three years (e.g., the 2022 winning composer may submit again in 2026).
Entrants must provide an electronic sound file (MP3 or WAV; midi recordings are also allowed) or a recording of the submitted work. Entrants waive all broadcast and recording rights to the convention premiere performance. The composition remains property of the composer.
Additional Submission Suggestions:
The score may or may not be transposed, but the parts should be appropriately transposed. (Make careful note of the instrument ranges and response tendencies.) The recordings may use the synthesized flute voices from notation programs, but the low flute voices are generally not well represented. Using synthesized voices which are equal at all pitches, such as string voices, gives a clear picture of the harmonic texture, and makes up for the deficits in the low flute voices. Also, be sure to adjust the audio mix in appropriate proportions for the flute choir--i.e., emphasize the bass and reduce the piccolo and c flutes when creating the recording.
All entrants must submit their entry, upload recordings/supplemental materials, and pay membership fee (flutists only) by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Tuesday, February 15, 2022.