Leo M. Traynor Competition

The Viola da Gamba Society of America announces the 2009 Leo M. Traynor Composition Contest.

Leo Traynor

This competition is dedicated to the memory of long-time VdGSA member Leo M. Traynor. Mr. Traynor served the United States government in Japan for many years. There he inaugurated the first two international competitions for new viol music which were sponsored by the Viola da Gamba Society of Japan. He regularly played, with much enthusiasm, contemporary music for his instrument, and he inspired others to develop their own tastes for contemporary and living music as well.

The Competition

Composers may submit scores from four to five minutes long written for a consort of from three to six viols. Since the primary purpose of this contest is to expand the contemporary repertory for our Society's members, these pieces must be accessible to experienced amateur viol players.

The judges will be professional players who have had extensive experience playing and performing contemporary music for the viol. These judges will select up to 4 winners. Each winner will receive a prize of $500. The winning compositions will be performed at the VdGSA 2009 summer Conclave in a special concert. Each of the pieces will be played twice on this program and there will be an additional "Audience Prize" of $250. The concert will be recorded and copies of the recording will be given to each of the winners.

Entering the Competition

The Entry Form and Guide to Composing for the Viola da Gamba are available for downloading in pdf.

Please note the following important points from the Entry Form:

Entries must be submitted by December 1, 2008.
Only one entry per person will be accepted.
Preferred formats for submission are
- Sibelius
- Finale 2006 or earlier
- XML with accompanying PDF file
Paper submissions are also acceptable, but they must be clear manuscripts, because they will be scanned and converted to Sibelius format.
Each entry, electronic or paper, must consist of a score and performance parts, with the composer's name on each sheet. The composer's name will be removed by the Secretary before the entry is sent to the judges.

All of the compositions will be sent to the judges (by the Secretary) via e-mail in a standard Sibelius format. Non-Sibelius submissions will be converted to this format by the Secretary, but note that paper submissions will have to be scanned and this offers more opportunity for error.

For a printed guide and entry form, or for more information, e-mail traynorcompetition@vdgsa.org.

The Traynor Composition Competition is made possible in part through the generosity of the Viola da Gamba Society of Japan.