James and Paula Nelson Young Composers Competition
The James and Paula Nelson Young Composers Competition began in 2004. It is open to composers ages 14-25 from Minnesota, North Central Wisconsin, and Michigan. Each applicant must create an original 4-7 minute classical work for traditional instrumentation. Winner will receive $1,000, reimbursement for necessary copying expenses, and a performance of the winning composition by the Duluth Superior Symphony at the Young Peoples Concerts.
The instrumentation must be no larger than the following list (it may be smaller): 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, 1 percussion, strings.
Most years there has been a theme for composers to create a piece around:
2008 (no theme) composers were asked to submit a 4- to 7-minute piece. The winning overture was the final piece on the Young People’s concert program (1/25/08).
2007 composers were asked to submit a 3- to 5-minute piece on the theme of peace, tolerance and global understanding. The 2007 Young People’s Concert was centered around the winning composition and a reprised staged musical setting of the popular children’s book, Old Turtle.
2006 composers were to submit a tone poem in three connected tableaux (innocence, confusion/fear, excitement/resolution), inspired by a favorite fairy tale or own original fairy tale. The mood could be as dark as Hansel and Gretel or as light as Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
2005 composers were to submit a 3- to 5-minute piece to begin a concert for children. Following the opening winning piece, the concert’s script featured a clown battling the conductor for control of the orchestra. Music for that portion of the concert included: STRAVINSKY, Excerpts from Suite #2; BRITTEN, Frolicsome Finale from Simple Symphony; PROKOFIEV, Peter’s walking theme from Peter and the Wolf; GRIEG, In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt; SATIE, Gymnopedie No.2; BEETHOVEN, Scherzo from Symphony No.1, STRAUSS, Excerpt from Emperor Waltz.
2004 composers were to submit a 3- to 5-minute piece on the themes of peace, tolerance, and global understanding. The 2004 Young People’s Concert was centered around the winning composition and a staged musical setting of the popular children’s book, Old Turtle.
Past winners include:
2009 Kevin Salchert
2008 Andy Reilly
2007 Mary Beth Huttlin
2006 Charlie McCarron
2005 Nick Mroczek
2004 Brandon Nelson
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