Composition Contest
Pre-Event. During the two-year cycle, The Coordinator is involved with the following.
Composition Contest: There are two Divisions to the Composition Contest: Both the Featured Division and Virtuoso Division. Pages 132-142 of the book THE INTERNATIONAL HORN SOCIETY-THE FIRST 50 YEARS-provides a good description of the evolution of this system. Briefly, this ensures that we are encouraging works that are playable by a wide group of players within the International Horn Society (Featured Division), as well as works that potentially become major works performed by the Virtuoso Hornists of the world (Virtuoso Division).
The instrumentation categories of works in the Featured and Virtuoso Division rotate with each cycle. Setting these categories is a most important task of the Coordinator-prior to the announcement of the next contest. So, for example, at the end of this year’s cycle and before the Summer Symposium, the new categories will be in the Composition Contest Coordinator’s report to the Advisory Council. This information will then be included in all publications about the Contest-though Horn Society publications, and external publications.
In addition to the Horn Society publications, The Horn Call, Website etc., this involves sending announcements to Composition Societies around the world: SCI, ASCAP, BMI and other New Music Organizations. Several major E-mail blasts go out to Composers and Hornists who work with composers in university and other settings.
The Coordinator enlists the Judging Panel during the prior year. Over the past ten years, this has included composers from various countries and institutions. The judges have all had experience as composers. Whenever possible, a judge who is both a composer and a hornist, or at least a brass player is an ideal candidate. When contacted, the judges are informed that they, as well as the participants, will be anonymous. Their participation as judges will not be announced, so there will not be any interference or conflict of interest with the judging.
Composition Contest Coordinator Application
Meir Rimon Project
Pre-Event Publication Because application to this project is limited to Horn Society members, advertising takes place internally through The Horn Call, the Website, and the I.H.S. Newsletters.
The Coordinator of the Meir Rimon Project organizes the judging panel in cooperation with the Advisory Council. Over the past ten years, the judging panel has included people who are both hornists and composers, and/or hornists who are actively involved in performing new works for the Horn. Hornists who have the above qualifications-and who have also had experience judging grant applications for arts councils, universities, or other research institutions have particularly strong qualifications.
Application Process. Similarities and Differences
The Application Process. Thanks to our Website Manager-Dan Phillips-applications for both projects take place through the Website Portal. Communications with Dan, as well as our Executive-Director, Susan McCullough, are important throughout the process of both projects.
*THE COMPOSITION CONTEST. Application to the Composition Contest is made by the Composer. The application rules for the current contest are seen on the website.
However!
**The MEIR RIMON Commissioning Assistance Project. The Application to this Project is made by a member of the Horn Society. (A notable difference!)
Some important differences between these two projects. In the Composition Contest, the works submitted with recordings are totally anonymous- and the judging is based on that piece-and that piece alone. However, with the Meir Rimon Project, the committee is not judging a piece that has already been composed. The committee is evaluating the potential for the composer to write a future composition during the next two years.
There are also differences and similarities at the end of the projects. With the Composition Contest, the winner of each division-Featured or Virtuoso receive a cash prize. (Currently, this is $1, 250.) In addition, whenever possible, we support the composers by performing the Winning and/or Honorable Mention works at the International Horn Symposium. Furthermore, the Composition Contest Coordinator writes an article about these compositions that appears in editions of The Horn Call that follow the given Contest. Printed scores and parts of the Winning Compositions are sent to the Composition Contest Coordinator who delivers the music to the Archives of The International Horn Society. Winning Compositions are also eligible to be considered for the International Horn Society’s own publication—the I.H.S. Online Music Sales. Some winning composers have used this service to publish their winning composition.
The Meir Rimon Project: Based on the information submitted about the Composer and the proposed Composition Project, the Committee may decide to recommend a Grant or not. This Grant is to be considered seed money to help the Commissioning Hornist to obtain additional support as needed from sources such as the commissioner’s local university, foundation, or arts council. Whenever possible and appropriate, The Meir Rimon Committee will endeavor to provide the Commissioner with a basic seed money grant. (These may range from $150 to $500.) Particularly noteworthy applications may receive more. Some applications do not receive a grant. Reasons for not receiving a grant include factors such as-the applicant has not followed the guidelines as outlined on the website, and/or the commissioner is asking for support for a piece that is already written. (A work that is already written is a reimbursement-not support for a future project.) Once the applicant receives notice of receiving the Grant, the composer has two years to complete the project. Within that two-year time frame, the composer needs to submit a printed copy of the score and parts to the Meir Rimon Project Coordinator. (Electronic copies are not acceptable.) When the Coordinator receives the completed printed editions of the music, the Executive Director is notified to send payment to the Composer. Then, the Scores of the Project Composition are sent to The International Horn Society Archives. If the Coordinator of the Meir Rimon Commissioning Grant Assistance Project does NOT receive a printed copy of the music for the project within the two-year time frame, the Horn Society will not send the monetary award.
Rimon Project Coordinator Application
If you are interested in one or both positions, or if you know of someone who might be, please complete the application form and attach a resume no later than June 30, 2026. If there are questions, please feel free to reach out to Susan McCullough at exec-director@hornsociety.org.
