2020 Duo Composition Contest Winners
Winning Compositions
(listed in alphabetical order)
JethroZen for flute and electric guitar by Lance Hulme
Lance Hulme’s music has been performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. His compositions have won many awards including the Witold Lutoslawski Competition, the ASCAP/Rudolf Nissim Prize, ITG Composition Competition. Notable performances and commissions include Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Southern German Radio and others. His music can be found on the Albany, Bridge, Live Notes, Divine Arts and Ablaze labels. Hulme studied at Yale, Eastman, the University of Minnesota and the Universität für Musik in Vienna. For many years, he lived in Germany where he directed Ensemble Surprise. He is professor theory and composition at North Carolina Central University and Audio Designer for the NCCU FabLab. He also is co-director of the À la carte concert series.
The Jellyfish Suite for 2 guitars by Sue-Anne Tan
Sue-Anne Tan (b. 1997) is an emerging young composer, producer, and songwriter currently based in Melbourne, where she is completing her third year of her Bachelor of Music degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Born and raised in the ethnically diverse city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she is fascinated by the various shades of sound-colour that is unique to each culture. Her love for the weird and wonderful in the workings of the human mind and in the natural world informs much of her music, which often deal with themes of loneliness and self-reflection. Sue-Anne began rearranging music for chamber groups and ensembles at the age of 16, and realised her love for creating in university under the guidance of Dr Ken Murray, Dr Tim Dargaville, and Dr Miriama Young. She has also received the critical support of Geoffrey Williams and James Cecil in expanding her compositional palette to electronic and pop music. Recently, Sue-Anne has worked with Sync Music Studio Shanghai on writing and arranging children's songs.
Blue Blood Sky for Eb and Bb saxophones by Jacob Thiede
Jacob Thiede (b. 1992) is a sound artist who aims to connect physical, emotional, and spiritual realms through music as composer performer, and improvisor. He received his BME at Murray State University and MM in music composition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has studied with Mike D'Ambrosio, Brian Ciach, and John Fannin at Murray State and with Mark Engebretson, Alejandro Rutty, and Steven Bryant at UNCG. As a saxophonist, he has studied with Scott Erickson and Steven Stusek. His current interests are exploring tap dance as compositional medium and using tempo as a compositional device. Jake studies composition with Panayiotis Kokoras, Kirsten Broberg, and Andrew May as well as saxophone with Eric Nestler at the University of North Texas. His professional affiliations include the American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS).
Honorable Mentions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Désirs Inassouvis for 2 saxophones by Jean-Patrick Besingrand
A native of Bordeaux (1985), Jean-Patrick Besingrand has been described as an « audacious composer » whose music « takes the listener on a fascinating and rewarding journey ». His music plays on tone colors and explores different conceptions of temporality. The incorporation of natural elements such as air sound is also at the center of his interests. Jean-Patrick has participated in several festivals and masterclasses, including Musica Festival, Shanghai New Music Week Festival, Tokyo Media Interaction, Thailand International Composition Festival, Viola’s 2014, and l’Odyssée des Arts Sonnants. At these festivals, he received instruction from renowned composers such as Beat Furrer, Philippe Hurel, Philippe Manoury, Jörg Widmann, Qin Wenchen, Claude Ledoux, Tania Léon, Mathew Rosenblum, Chen Yi, and Luis Naon. He has received recognition from the Lin Yao Ji International Competition, the Molinari Quartet Sixth International Composition Competition, the Chengdu-China Sun River Prize competition, the Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, the American Prize, and the First International Composition Competition Viola’s 2014. His saxophone quartet won the first prize of the Composition Competition for Saxophone Quartet organized by SaxOpen and the Festival Musica. The Robert Starer Award commemorated his harp concerto Sur les ailes du temps in May 2016. His music has been performed by the Orchestre National Bordeaux-Aquitaine, Court-Circuit, Dal Niente, Mivos Quartet, JACK Quartet, Molinari Quartet, Platypus, Mise-En, Quince, Contemporaneous, Del Sol Quartet, Offspring, C4, Singularity saxophone quartet, Klexos, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, CMU Contemporary Ensemble, Círculo Trio, Very Small Consortium Ensemble, Aurae Duo, and by the several soloists including Thomas Piercy, Pierre Dutrieu and Yumi Suehiro. Jean-Patrick holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from the University of Bordeaux, and graduated with high honors in Analysis, Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, Composition, and Soundpainting from the Bordeaux Conservatory where he studied notably with Jean-Louis Agobet in composition. He also holds an Advanced Certificate in Composition from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied with Leonardo Balada. Currently Jean- Patrick is a PhD candidate in composition at The Graduate Center, CUNY under Professor Jason Eckardt while working on his doctoral thesis in Musicology at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Hoodoos 1 for alto flute and bassoon by Scott Miller
Scott Miller (b. 1984) is a bassoonist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), where he is active as a performer and music educator. Scott's primary interest is in chamber music, and he enjoys collaborating with other musicians to create or promote new or under-appreciated works. He is a regular performer with Manitoba Underground Opera, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, 17 Wing. Originally from the USA, he holds degrees from Louisiana State University (DMA), University of Oregon (MM) and Florida State University (BM). Scott has held positions as Principal Bassoon for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Sinfonietta and Opera Louisiane, Associate Principal Bassoon for the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and Second Bassoon for the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Scott has appeared as a soloist at the Twisted Oaks Music Festival, as well as with the Magnolia Chamber Orchestra and with the Louisiana Sinfonietta. He has served as Adjunct Instructor of Bassoon at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA and at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Winning Compositions
(listed in alphabetical order)
JethroZen for flute and electric guitar by Lance Hulme
Lance Hulme’s music has been performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. His compositions have won many awards including the Witold Lutoslawski Competition, the ASCAP/Rudolf Nissim Prize, ITG Composition Competition. Notable performances and commissions include Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Southern German Radio and others. His music can be found on the Albany, Bridge, Live Notes, Divine Arts and Ablaze labels. Hulme studied at Yale, Eastman, the University of Minnesota and the Universität für Musik in Vienna. For many years, he lived in Germany where he directed Ensemble Surprise. He is professor theory and composition at North Carolina Central University and Audio Designer for the NCCU FabLab. He also is co-director of the À la carte concert series.
The Jellyfish Suite for 2 guitars by Sue-Anne Tan
Sue-Anne Tan (b. 1997) is an emerging young composer, producer, and songwriter currently based in Melbourne, where she is completing her third year of her Bachelor of Music degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Born and raised in the ethnically diverse city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she is fascinated by the various shades of sound-colour that is unique to each culture. Her love for the weird and wonderful in the workings of the human mind and in the natural world informs much of her music, which often deal with themes of loneliness and self-reflection. Sue-Anne began rearranging music for chamber groups and ensembles at the age of 16, and realised her love for creating in university under the guidance of Dr Ken Murray, Dr Tim Dargaville, and Dr Miriama Young. She has also received the critical support of Geoffrey Williams and James Cecil in expanding her compositional palette to electronic and pop music. Recently, Sue-Anne has worked with Sync Music Studio Shanghai on writing and arranging children's songs.
Blue Blood Sky for Eb and Bb saxophones by Jacob Thiede
Jacob Thiede (b. 1992) is a sound artist who aims to connect physical, emotional, and spiritual realms through music as composer performer, and improvisor. He received his BME at Murray State University and MM in music composition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has studied with Mike D'Ambrosio, Brian Ciach, and John Fannin at Murray State and with Mark Engebretson, Alejandro Rutty, and Steven Bryant at UNCG. As a saxophonist, he has studied with Scott Erickson and Steven Stusek. His current interests are exploring tap dance as compositional medium and using tempo as a compositional device. Jake studies composition with Panayiotis Kokoras, Kirsten Broberg, and Andrew May as well as saxophone with Eric Nestler at the University of North Texas. His professional affiliations include the American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS).
Honorable Mentions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Désirs Inassouvis for 2 saxophones by Jean-Patrick Besingrand
A native of Bordeaux (1985), Jean-Patrick Besingrand has been described as an « audacious composer » whose music « takes the listener on a fascinating and rewarding journey ». His music plays on tone colors and explores different conceptions of temporality. The incorporation of natural elements such as air sound is also at the center of his interests. Jean-Patrick has participated in several festivals and masterclasses, including Musica Festival, Shanghai New Music Week Festival, Tokyo Media Interaction, Thailand International Composition Festival, Viola’s 2014, and l’Odyssée des Arts Sonnants. At these festivals, he received instruction from renowned composers such as Beat Furrer, Philippe Hurel, Philippe Manoury, Jörg Widmann, Qin Wenchen, Claude Ledoux, Tania Léon, Mathew Rosenblum, Chen Yi, and Luis Naon. He has received recognition from the Lin Yao Ji International Competition, the Molinari Quartet Sixth International Composition Competition, the Chengdu-China Sun River Prize competition, the Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, the American Prize, and the First International Composition Competition Viola’s 2014. His saxophone quartet won the first prize of the Composition Competition for Saxophone Quartet organized by SaxOpen and the Festival Musica. The Robert Starer Award commemorated his harp concerto Sur les ailes du temps in May 2016. His music has been performed by the Orchestre National Bordeaux-Aquitaine, Court-Circuit, Dal Niente, Mivos Quartet, JACK Quartet, Molinari Quartet, Platypus, Mise-En, Quince, Contemporaneous, Del Sol Quartet, Offspring, C4, Singularity saxophone quartet, Klexos, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, CMU Contemporary Ensemble, Círculo Trio, Very Small Consortium Ensemble, Aurae Duo, and by the several soloists including Thomas Piercy, Pierre Dutrieu and Yumi Suehiro. Jean-Patrick holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from the University of Bordeaux, and graduated with high honors in Analysis, Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, Composition, and Soundpainting from the Bordeaux Conservatory where he studied notably with Jean-Louis Agobet in composition. He also holds an Advanced Certificate in Composition from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied with Leonardo Balada. Currently Jean- Patrick is a PhD candidate in composition at The Graduate Center, CUNY under Professor Jason Eckardt while working on his doctoral thesis in Musicology at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Hoodoos 1 for alto flute and bassoon by Scott Miller
Scott Miller (b. 1984) is a bassoonist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), where he is active as a performer and music educator. Scott's primary interest is in chamber music, and he enjoys collaborating with other musicians to create or promote new or under-appreciated works. He is a regular performer with Manitoba Underground Opera, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, 17 Wing. Originally from the USA, he holds degrees from Louisiana State University (DMA), University of Oregon (MM) and Florida State University (BM). Scott has held positions as Principal Bassoon for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Sinfonietta and Opera Louisiane, Associate Principal Bassoon for the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and Second Bassoon for the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Scott has appeared as a soloist at the Twisted Oaks Music Festival, as well as with the Magnolia Chamber Orchestra and with the Louisiana Sinfonietta. He has served as Adjunct Instructor of Bassoon at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA and at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Composition Contest
Eligibility
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2018 Duo Composition Winners
Winning Compositions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Diverse Reflections for 2 alto saxophones by Ethan Helm
Ethan (born 1990) is a New York City-based saxophonist and composer, creating in the space between jazz and contemporary classical music. He performs regularly in NYC with the Balkan Peppers, the Gil Evans Project, and the Shrine Big Band, in addition to leading his own quartet, and co-leading the quintet Cowboys & Frenchmen. He has performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, and throughout the US. In 2015, Ethan participated in the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute, and often creates saxophone-centric electro-acoustic works in collaboration with choreographers. He writes pieces for jazz ensembles, string quartets, or any other ensemble that asks. Ethan studied jazz performance at the Eastman School of Music and New York University where he is currently pursuing a doctorate.
Manu Militari for flute and clarinet in A by Robert Lemay
Robert Lemay has composed many works and received numerous international awards. His music draws its inspiration primarily from poetry, literature, cinema, visual arts, political or social events and includes two series of tributes; one to filmmakers and another to abstract painters. Lemay has been performed in Canada, the United States, Asia (Japan, South Korea, Thailand), Europe (France, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, Switzerland & Scotland), South America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela), Israel, Mexico and Australia. Many of his pieces have been broadcast on Radio-Canada, CBC, Bavarian State Radio, European Broadcasting Union (Luxembourg), Polish National Radio, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) in Austria and ABC Classic FM (Australia). Twenty of his pieces appear on 18 different CDs in Canada, Europe and the USA. Lemay holds a doctorate degree in composition from the Université de Montréal where he studied under Michel Longtin, and a master’s degree from Université Laval with François Morel. He also studied at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and has worked with David Felder and taken part in seminars with Brian Ferneyhough, Louis Andriessen, and Donald Erb. In France, he worked with François Rossé in Bordeaux and Georges Apergis in Paris. Presently, Robert Lemay teaches at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and is the president and co-artistic director of 5-Penny New Music Concerts.
Funk Shui for clarinet and bass clarinet by Patrick Lenz
Patrick Lenz (b.1994) is a M.M. Composition student at Rice University from Eastman, Wisconsin. Patrick completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Baylor University. Patrick has studied with Dr. Anthony Brandt, Dr. Scott McAllister, and Dr. Edward Taylor. He has written numerous works for chamber groups and soloists, as well as for large ensembles. Recently, Patrick's composition for Wind Ensemble, Pillar of Fire, was named the winner of the 2016 Baylor University Composition Contest and the 2018 Red Note New Music Composition Competition. Notable commissions are Dr. Jun Qian, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Baylor University, 15.19 Ensemble, and Morpheme Saxophone Quartet. Notable performances include 2016 Baylor University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. J. Eric Wilson, 2018 Illinois State University Wind Sym. at the 2018 Red Note New Music Festival, Oregon State University Wind Ens. at 2017 Western International Band Clinic, the 2015 International Clarinet Association conference.
Honorable Mentions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Clutter for flute and bass clarinet by Roydon Tse
Named one of CBC music’s “30 under 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians” in 2017, Hong Kong-Canadian composer Roydon Tse (b.1991) is passionate about communicating to audiences from all backgrounds with new music that is both beautiful and unexpected. He received his first professional commission from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra when he was 16 under the ESO Young Composers’ Project, and he has since embarked on an exciting journey in the world of music composition. A prolific composer of chamber and orchestral music, Roydon’s works have been championed by performers across North America as well as further afield in Europe, Asia, and Australia. His orchestral works have received performances under notable conductors Franck Ollu, Edwin Outwater, and Bright Sheng, with ensembles such as the Brussels Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. His 2017/18 season features several important performances, including the world premiere of his Sheng concerto “Radiant Light” by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra under Zhang Liang, the premiere of "Black Waltz" by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the European premiere of “Memories” by members of the Paris Opera Orchestra. A multiple award-winning composer, Roydon has won three prizes from the SOCAN Foundation Awards for Young Composers, the Washington International Composition Competition (Kennedy Center, 2015), Canadian University Music Society Competition for Composers, ISCM Sun River Prize International Competition, Land’s End Ensemble’s National Composition Competition, the Canadian Music Center Prairies Emerging Composer Prize, Trio Anima Mundi International Composition Prize, Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, and the Vanguard Voices Choral Composition Competition. He was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship by UBC in 2013, and is the recipient of the Edmonton Mayor's Stantec Youth Artist Award. Born in Hong Kong, Roydon is currently a 3rd year D.M.A student in composition at the University of Toronto, and holds degrees from the University of British Columbia (B.Mus) and the University of Toronto (M.Mus). Before immigrating to Canada in 2007, he spent five years in England where he studied piano and violin. Key to his formation as a composer were studies with Dorothy Chang, Christos Hatzis, Gary Kulesha, Stephen Chatman, John Estacio, and Norbert Palej. In addition to composition, he holds a Licentiate in Piano Performance from the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.). Roydon is currently based in Toronto, where he is an associate member of SOCAN, SCI, the Canadian League of Composers, and the Canadian Music Center. www.roydontse.com
wagneramente for flute and clarinet in Bb by Alexander Wagendristel
Alexander Wagendristel was born in 1965 in Vienna, Austria, where he also studied flute and composition. He graduated from both studies with distinction. Since 1987, he is a member of the ”Vereinigte Bühnen Wien“ Orchestra. His over 170 works have earned prizes at several competitions and received awards from the Austrian Ministry of Culture, the City of Vienna, and others. In 1995, his opera „Der Narr“ was premiered to much critical and public acclaim at the Schönbrunn Palace Theater, Vienna and in 2001, his piano concerto „TYPHON“ was chosen by the Austrian ISCM section for a performance in the Vienna Konzerthaus. The same work was also included in the 2007 ISCM World Music Festival in Hong Kong. In 2010, he was commissioned to compose the music for the Austrian pavilion at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. From 1988 to 1992 he was a member of the improvisation group “Things of NowNow” together with drummer Lukas Ligeti. Further collaborations include visual artist Anna Mitterer and electronic musician/DJane Susanne Kirchmayr aka Electric Indigo. In 2002, together with Roland Freisitzer and Thomas Heinisch, he founded the New Music ensemble „reconsil“, which has premiered over 100 new works since.
Special High School Award
Wondrous Excursion for flute and clarinet in Bb by William Shabecoff
William Shabecoff, age 16 (born 2001), studies composition with Dr. Eric Ewazen at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division. William began studying violin at the age of three, piano at age ten, and has been composing music for as long as he can remember. William’s compositions have been performed at the Northern Lights Music Festival in Aurora, Minnesota (July 2015), at various Student Composers’ Recitals at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (May 2016), and at The National Young Composers Challenge at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida (November 2016). In 2016 and 2017, William was named an ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composers Awards finalist. In 2017, William was recognized as an emerging composer by the Tribeca New Music Young Composer Competition, and a finalist in the National Young Composers Challenge. In 2016,William was the Connecticut winner of the MTNA Senior Composition Competition, winner of the National Young Composers Challenge in the Ensemble Category, and received a national incentive award at the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composers Contest.
Winning Compositions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Diverse Reflections for 2 alto saxophones by Ethan Helm
Ethan (born 1990) is a New York City-based saxophonist and composer, creating in the space between jazz and contemporary classical music. He performs regularly in NYC with the Balkan Peppers, the Gil Evans Project, and the Shrine Big Band, in addition to leading his own quartet, and co-leading the quintet Cowboys & Frenchmen. He has performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, and throughout the US. In 2015, Ethan participated in the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute, and often creates saxophone-centric electro-acoustic works in collaboration with choreographers. He writes pieces for jazz ensembles, string quartets, or any other ensemble that asks. Ethan studied jazz performance at the Eastman School of Music and New York University where he is currently pursuing a doctorate.
Manu Militari for flute and clarinet in A by Robert Lemay
Robert Lemay has composed many works and received numerous international awards. His music draws its inspiration primarily from poetry, literature, cinema, visual arts, political or social events and includes two series of tributes; one to filmmakers and another to abstract painters. Lemay has been performed in Canada, the United States, Asia (Japan, South Korea, Thailand), Europe (France, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, Switzerland & Scotland), South America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela), Israel, Mexico and Australia. Many of his pieces have been broadcast on Radio-Canada, CBC, Bavarian State Radio, European Broadcasting Union (Luxembourg), Polish National Radio, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) in Austria and ABC Classic FM (Australia). Twenty of his pieces appear on 18 different CDs in Canada, Europe and the USA. Lemay holds a doctorate degree in composition from the Université de Montréal where he studied under Michel Longtin, and a master’s degree from Université Laval with François Morel. He also studied at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and has worked with David Felder and taken part in seminars with Brian Ferneyhough, Louis Andriessen, and Donald Erb. In France, he worked with François Rossé in Bordeaux and Georges Apergis in Paris. Presently, Robert Lemay teaches at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and is the president and co-artistic director of 5-Penny New Music Concerts.
Funk Shui for clarinet and bass clarinet by Patrick Lenz
Patrick Lenz (b.1994) is a M.M. Composition student at Rice University from Eastman, Wisconsin. Patrick completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Baylor University. Patrick has studied with Dr. Anthony Brandt, Dr. Scott McAllister, and Dr. Edward Taylor. He has written numerous works for chamber groups and soloists, as well as for large ensembles. Recently, Patrick's composition for Wind Ensemble, Pillar of Fire, was named the winner of the 2016 Baylor University Composition Contest and the 2018 Red Note New Music Composition Competition. Notable commissions are Dr. Jun Qian, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Baylor University, 15.19 Ensemble, and Morpheme Saxophone Quartet. Notable performances include 2016 Baylor University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. J. Eric Wilson, 2018 Illinois State University Wind Sym. at the 2018 Red Note New Music Festival, Oregon State University Wind Ens. at 2017 Western International Band Clinic, the 2015 International Clarinet Association conference.
Honorable Mentions
(listed in alphabetical order)
Clutter for flute and bass clarinet by Roydon Tse
Named one of CBC music’s “30 under 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians” in 2017, Hong Kong-Canadian composer Roydon Tse (b.1991) is passionate about communicating to audiences from all backgrounds with new music that is both beautiful and unexpected. He received his first professional commission from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra when he was 16 under the ESO Young Composers’ Project, and he has since embarked on an exciting journey in the world of music composition. A prolific composer of chamber and orchestral music, Roydon’s works have been championed by performers across North America as well as further afield in Europe, Asia, and Australia. His orchestral works have received performances under notable conductors Franck Ollu, Edwin Outwater, and Bright Sheng, with ensembles such as the Brussels Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. His 2017/18 season features several important performances, including the world premiere of his Sheng concerto “Radiant Light” by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra under Zhang Liang, the premiere of "Black Waltz" by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the European premiere of “Memories” by members of the Paris Opera Orchestra. A multiple award-winning composer, Roydon has won three prizes from the SOCAN Foundation Awards for Young Composers, the Washington International Composition Competition (Kennedy Center, 2015), Canadian University Music Society Competition for Composers, ISCM Sun River Prize International Competition, Land’s End Ensemble’s National Composition Competition, the Canadian Music Center Prairies Emerging Composer Prize, Trio Anima Mundi International Composition Prize, Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, and the Vanguard Voices Choral Composition Competition. He was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship by UBC in 2013, and is the recipient of the Edmonton Mayor's Stantec Youth Artist Award. Born in Hong Kong, Roydon is currently a 3rd year D.M.A student in composition at the University of Toronto, and holds degrees from the University of British Columbia (B.Mus) and the University of Toronto (M.Mus). Before immigrating to Canada in 2007, he spent five years in England where he studied piano and violin. Key to his formation as a composer were studies with Dorothy Chang, Christos Hatzis, Gary Kulesha, Stephen Chatman, John Estacio, and Norbert Palej. In addition to composition, he holds a Licentiate in Piano Performance from the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.). Roydon is currently based in Toronto, where he is an associate member of SOCAN, SCI, the Canadian League of Composers, and the Canadian Music Center. www.roydontse.com
wagneramente for flute and clarinet in Bb by Alexander Wagendristel
Alexander Wagendristel was born in 1965 in Vienna, Austria, where he also studied flute and composition. He graduated from both studies with distinction. Since 1987, he is a member of the ”Vereinigte Bühnen Wien“ Orchestra. His over 170 works have earned prizes at several competitions and received awards from the Austrian Ministry of Culture, the City of Vienna, and others. In 1995, his opera „Der Narr“ was premiered to much critical and public acclaim at the Schönbrunn Palace Theater, Vienna and in 2001, his piano concerto „TYPHON“ was chosen by the Austrian ISCM section for a performance in the Vienna Konzerthaus. The same work was also included in the 2007 ISCM World Music Festival in Hong Kong. In 2010, he was commissioned to compose the music for the Austrian pavilion at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. From 1988 to 1992 he was a member of the improvisation group “Things of NowNow” together with drummer Lukas Ligeti. Further collaborations include visual artist Anna Mitterer and electronic musician/DJane Susanne Kirchmayr aka Electric Indigo. In 2002, together with Roland Freisitzer and Thomas Heinisch, he founded the New Music ensemble „reconsil“, which has premiered over 100 new works since.
Special High School Award
Wondrous Excursion for flute and clarinet in Bb by William Shabecoff
William Shabecoff, age 16 (born 2001), studies composition with Dr. Eric Ewazen at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division. William began studying violin at the age of three, piano at age ten, and has been composing music for as long as he can remember. William’s compositions have been performed at the Northern Lights Music Festival in Aurora, Minnesota (July 2015), at various Student Composers’ Recitals at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (May 2016), and at The National Young Composers Challenge at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida (November 2016). In 2016 and 2017, William was named an ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composers Awards finalist. In 2017, William was recognized as an emerging composer by the Tribeca New Music Young Composer Competition, and a finalist in the National Young Composers Challenge. In 2016,William was the Connecticut winner of the MTNA Senior Composition Competition, winner of the National Young Composers Challenge in the Ensemble Category, and received a national incentive award at the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composers Contest.