John W. N. Palmer from Kingston, Ontario, Canada won the first place prize of $1000 with his octet titled "Pieces for Eight." Nigel G. Simmons from Ipswich, Suffolk, England took second place, winning $500 for "Prelude, Elegy and Rondo Scherzino." The $250 third place prize was awarded to Ray Downey, of Bellingham, WA, for "Scenes from San Juan Island." Emory Waters of Midlothian, VA, received Honorable Mention recognition for "3 Vignettes for 8 Brass."
The contest focused on original works for brass octet written for college-level ensemble. Compositions were requested to have three movements of less than five minutes duration each. All qualifying contest entries were played and evaluated by the workshop coaching staff. The coaching staff consists of professional brass musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. The winners' works will be performed during the July 2006 Brass Chamber Music Workshop at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. Amateur musicians will perform the music in a workshop format. All submitted contest compositions will become part of the workshop's extensive brass chamber music library.
"We have added some wonderful music to our library and I am anxious for all workshop participants to have an opportunity to play it," said Clements. "I am especially excited by the level of international participation in the contest. Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to all the fine composers who submitted works."
The Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop is held each summer in two one-week sessions. 2006 sessions are scheduled for July 16-21 and July 23-28. Activities include: daily chamber ensemble rehearsals coached by some of the West Coast's finest brass musicians; daily performances by participants; brass choir reading sessions; abundant freelance playing time; special-interest sessions on brass-related topics; and spectacular California North Coast scenery.
For further information regarding the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop or the competition visit www.humboldt.edu/~extended/special/brass/ or Tony Clements, Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop at 408-377-3493 or ttuba@earthlink.net.