Foundation for Modern Music, now celebrating its 24th year, has begun to accept scores for the 2009-2010 Robert Avalon Competition for Composers, with a submission deadline of February 13, 2010. Through the competition, Foundation for Modern Music honors its late Artistic Director Robert Avalon, who helped develop and initiate several important new projects for the Foundation, including this competition for young, college and mid-career composers. In the spirit of Robert, who devoted himself tirelessly to the encouragement and education of young musicians throughout the Houston area, Foundation for Modern Music looks forward to another year of submissions from some of the freshest, most fascinating musical minds in Houston and beyond. Prizes: First Place - $500 cash award; Second Place - $300 cash award. Public performance (with audio and video recording) of winning compositions. Finalists must be prepared to travel to Houston for the finals concert.

Eligibility/Guidelines: Three categories: High school: Open to student composers enrolled through 12th grade as of May 2010 and not older than 19. There is no lower age limit, but compositions should be of a mature level suitable for public performance. Juvenilia may be returned. University/Emerging Artist: Open to composers born in or after June 1979. Career Professional: no age limit. Any individual may enter a higher category, but must choose only one. Past winners are not disqualified, but winning pieces may not be reentered. Instrumentation: Chamber work not to exceed 5 performers. Any combination of voice and/or standard acoustic instruments accepted. Non-standard and electronic are acceptable only if arrangements for the performers in the finals concerts are provided by the composer. Organ cannot be accommodated at this time. Length: Duration between 5-20 minutes. Composition must have been completed after January 1, 2005.

Submission Materials: Completed application form. 3 copies of musical score, 2 of which must be free of any identifying information such as composer’s name. No originals and manuscripts must be legible. All scores must have measure numbers provided at each system or line. One copy may remain in the FMM library. 2 copies of MIDI, rehearsal, and/or performance recordings in CD format marked only with composition’s title. No composer name. Copy of state ID, driver's license, birth certificate, or passport. Application fee in the form of check or money order, payable to Foundation for Modern Music: $35 non-refundable (High School, University/Emerging Artist); $60 non-refundable (Mid-Career). Appropriately stamped return package envelope for return of scores and recordings (optional). To maintain anonymity, all names will be removed from scores and recordings prior to adjudication. The judges will receive no information about the applicant, and the winning composition will be chosen solely on its artistic merit.

The Robert Avalon Competition for Composers
c/o Foundation for Modern Music
1915 Commonwealth, #204
Houston, TX 77006