Arranging Competitions 2020


 National Youth Music Arranging Competition - 2020 (Archived)



Overview

This year, the MAGA National Youth Music Arranging Competition will feature Big Band arrangements with the winning entry receiving $AU 1000 as prize money as well as the chance to have their arrangement played by a professional Big Band.

  • 1st place - $1000
  • 2nd place - $300
  • 3rd place - $200

The competition opens on 1st February 2020 and closes 5pm AWST 30th June 2020.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! CLICK HERE

FREE ENTRY - Due to COVID-19, the $20 entry fee has now been waived.

Eligibility

The MAGA National Youth Music Arranging Competition is open to any music arranger(**) under the age of 30 as at 30th June, 2020. Any non-member of MAGA or Certificate Member may apply. No Full MAGA Member will be eligible.  

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd pace winners will also be considered for complimentary three year MAGA Certificate of Merit Membership to help them work towards Full MAGA membership.

** Only Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Students on a Visa (Subclass 500) are eligible to enter.

Applications are now closed - Good luck to all!

1. Rules and Guidelines

Content

  1. The arrangement will be selected from a lead sheet provided by 4 Australian composers and can be downloaded from the MAGA website. (See 4. Composer works below)
  2. Only one work can be submitted per contestant.
  3. The work must never have been published nor publicly performed.
  4. The arrangement must show creativity in accompanying the original melody.

Orchestration

In 2020, the orchestration is Big Band. Next years competition will be for a different genre/ensemble type. The arrangement must be scored for:

  • 3-5 woodwinds (Saxes, Flutes, Clarinets),
  • 3-4 Trumpets (including flugels)
  • 2-3 Trombones
  • Bass Trombone
  • Piano, Guitar (opt.), Bass & Drums.

Length

Your arrangement must be no more than 5 minutes in length.

2. Submission of Materials

Online Application: Entry will be using a secure online application form available HERE.

Application: 1 completed application form.

Score: Your score should be a transposed score in PDF format. Please do not send notation files.
Note: Please ensure there are no identifying marks on your score to ensure anonymity for judging.

Proof of Eligibility: 1. Australian citizenship; 2. Permanent Residency; or 3. Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Audio: You must provide a recording of a synth or live rehearsal version of the work in MP3 format. 

Deadline : All materials (incl. payment) must be received by 5pm AWST (Perth Time) 30th June, 2020.

Note: Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the application fee has now been waived.

3. Adjudication

Judges

Judges will include members of the MAGA National Executive Board and recognised award winning Australian arrangers under the direction of Ian Boath, the "Competition Chair".

All entries will be anonymous to the judging panel.

Winner Announcements

The winners will be announced the MAGA website on or before 28th  July, 2020. The 1st Prize winner must supply a complete set of copied parts in order to have the chance for their works to be rehearsed, performed and recorded by Matt Amy's Really Big Band.

The judges decisions regarding the results are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the winners.

4.Composer Works

The arrangements must be made from one of the following four works by Australia composers.