Harvey Gaul Composition Competition

The 2011 Harvey Gaul Composition Competition winner is Ted Hearne.

Mr. Hearne receives a $6,000 commission from The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, to be premiered during our 2012 or 2013 season. Honorable Mentions have been awarded to Sean Friar and Dan Visconti.

PNME in performance

Winner receives a $6,000 commission from The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.

History

The Harvey Gaul competition was established in memory of Pittsburgh composer and conductor Harvey Gaul, who was Director of Music at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside for many years in the 1920's and 30’s. Following Gaul’s sudden death in 1945, the "Friends of Harvey Gaul" was established to, "perpetuate the name and remembrance of the humanitarianism of Harvey Gaul, the furtherance of music and other arts, and the promotion of musical education and appreciation"

In 1980, The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble took over administration of the contest and became its sole sponsor. PNME is honored to continue recognizing the contributions of Harvey Gaul by commissioning new works by composers of the highest caliber and professionalism. The biennial competition is held in odd-numbered years, and the winning compositions performed in the following even-numbered years.

Recent Harvey Gaul commissions include Ned McGowan's Radiance, Pierre Jalbert’s Visual Abstract, and Soldier Songs by David T. Little, an evening-length work incorporating video, staging and the recorded narration of letters from combat veterans from Viet Nam and Iraq. "This competition is one of the more generous ones out there," says PNME Artistic Director Kevin Noe. "Since increasing the prize money in 2004 we have received an extremely high level of entries from composers who are very anxious to write for us. We’re very anxious to see what this year’s winner will create for us."

To Enter

Postmark Deadline: January 1, 2013
See complete Rules below.
Send the following items:

  1. One copy of a score for a representative instrumental work (chamber or orchestral; 4 players minimum);
  2. CD recording of the work (CDs only, please); MIDI realizations are allowed but not recommended.
  3. Current biography and/or resume, including contact information;
  4. Entry fee of $20, payable to The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.

Send entries to:

Contest Rules

  1. Contestants must be U.S. citizens. No age restriction.
  2. All entries must be postmarked by January 1, 2013.
  3. An entry fee of $20, payable to The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, must accompany each submission.
  4. Winners will be notified in March, 2013.
  5. Judges may not make an award if they deem that no entry is worthy.
  6. Composers wishing their materials to be returned must supply a SASE with their application.
  7. All materials must be clearly marked with the composer's name and contact information.
  8. Scores must be bound and legible.

Questions?

call: 412-889-7231 or email: contactpnme@gmail.com

Past Winners: