An event organized by the Wind Band of Belfort. With the support of the City of Belfort and Grand Belfort Agglomeration Community, the departemental council of Territoire de Belfort, the Confédération Musicale de France, Fédération Musicale de Franche-Comté and Conservatory of Grand Belfort.
Article 1 ● Organisation
The City of Belfort and the Wind Band of Belfort are organizing the third edition of the International Composition Contest for Wind band.
Article 2 ● Mandatory theme
The mandatory theme of the third edition is : Music for Wind Band with a Modern Music Band (See Mandatory Orchestration detailed in Article 6)
The contest aims to enrich the repertoire of original music for Wind Band with a Modern Music Band. All styles and all musical forms are allowed. All forms of sound effects are also accepted. Transcriptions are
prohibited.
Article 3 ● Deadlines
The contest is open to participants of all countries with no age limit. The deadline for registration is May 9th, 2025. The deadline for submission of scores is May 16th 2025.
Article 4 ● Copyright
Throughout the contest, the score must be royalty-free, copyright free and unpublished.
Participation in the contest is free; in return, the composers selected during the playoffs agree to mention the name of « Sélection Officielle du Concours International de Composition - Belfort 2025 » on all visual and audio media showing the title of the work: publication of sheet music, CD publications, DVDs, books, programmes, posters, etc...
As a result, the works selected shall include the mention « Sé lection Officielle du Concours International de Composition - Belfort 2025 ». The works of finalists shall include the mention « Œuvre Finaliste du Concours International de Composition - Belfort 2025» ; and finally the winning works shall include the mention « Lauréat du Concours International de Composition - Belfort 2025», specifying the type of prize they obtained.
Article 5 ● Level
The style and degree of difficulty are around 4th level (3.5 ▶4.5)
However, in order to make the interpretation of the work accessible to a maximum number of Wind Band, the composer must provide "ossia" or a "default" to substitute for the instrumental parts which are too difficult for the level. These terms will appear on the score and the orchestral material. The failure to meet this obligation will result systematically and irrevocably in the elimination of the score during the selection trials. The duration of the work must be between 10 minutes (8 ▶12 minutes).
Article 6 ● Mandatory Orchestration
The orchestration of the work must include the following parts:
For Wind Band
- Piccolo Flute (C)
- Flutes 1-2 (C)
- Oboe 1-2 (C)
- Bassoon 1-2 (C)
- Eb Clarinet
- Clarinets (Bb) 1-2-3
- Bass Clarinet (Bb)
- Alto Saxophones 1-2 (Eb)
- Tenor Saxophone 1-2 (Bb)
- Baritone Saxophone (Eb)
- Trumpets 1-2-3 (Bb)
- Horns 1-2-3-4 (F)
- Trombones 1-2-3 (C) with one bass trombone
- Euphoniums (C) and/or Baritone Saxhorns 1-2 (Bb)
- Tuba (C) and/or Bass Tuba (Bb)
- String Bass
- Timpani
- Percussions (5 players max)
Authorized optional instruments:
- English Horn (F)
- Alto Clarinet (Eb)
- Soprano Saxophone (Bb)
- Flugelhorn (Bb)
- Cello
- Harp
- Piano
The specific nomenclature of the work as well as details of the percussion instruments used must appear on the cover page of the score.
+
For the Modern Music Group (in choice among theses proposals)
- 1 or 2 parts of Melody : vocal with/or instrumental in choice
- 1 ou 2 rythmics/chords : Guitar/ piano/Synthesizer...
- Bass : Bass Guitar or Double bass or other instrumental bass
- Drums or percussions
- Number of players : 5 max.
Article 7 ● Print version
The work must be presented as a full score. Separate parts must be attached to the score. The score must be printed in two-sided A3 format. Separate parts will be printed in two-sided A4 format.
No indication of the identity of the composer must appear on the score (or on the separate parts). Only the title must be indicated on the envelope (see section 9). Musical indications are noted in French, English or Italian.
Article 8 ● Audio (optional)
The composer may also join a text to the score to present his work as well as an audio or video recording. (MP3, WAV, WMA, MID, etc.)
Article 9 ● Sending
The work must be sent in the following way:
a) Put the full score in an envelope indicating only its title.
b) A second sealed envelope containing the following information : name, first name, sex, nationality, full address and email-address, country, phone number, date and place of birth, title of the work, as well as a statement signed and dated by the composer stating that his work is unpublished (see article 4).
This information must be in French, English, German or Spanish. On this second sealed envelope – the title of the work and the reference "confidential" must be written. These two envelopes must be put into a single envelope to which an audio or video recording of the score can be added.
c) The document must be sent by registered mail before May 16th 2025 (attested by the date on the postmark) to the following address:
Mairie de Belfort
M. Xavier SCHEID
Place d’Armes
90000 BELFORT (FRANCE)
Article 10 ● Jury
The jury, composed of internationally renowned artists (composers, conductors, performers, ...) will judge the qualifying rounds in June 2025.
Article 11 ● Results selection
At the end of the jury’s deliberation, composers whose works have been selected will be informed by email of their qualification for the following round of the contest.
Article 12 ● Final
The works selected for the final round will be interpreted by the Wind Band of Belfort and professional players for the Modern Musical Band will be judged during a public concert in Belfort. The final will take place on December 6th and 7th 2025.
Article 13 ● Prizes
The results will be announced at the end of the final of the competition. The following prizes will be awarded:
- 1st Prize: 4 000 €
- 2nd Prize: 2 000 €
- 3rd Prize: 1 000 €
Special prizes may be awarded by the jury.
Article 14 ● Reserve
The jury reserves the right not to award prizes.
Article 15 ● Number of participations
Only one work per composer will be accepted.
Article 16 ● Archive
Scores (printed or manuscripts) submitted to this competition will not be returned to composers.
Article 17 ● Acceptance of rules
The works selected for the final round will be interpreted by the Wind Band of Belfort and professional players for the Modern Musical Band will be judged during a public concert in Belfort. The final will take place on December 4th or 5th 2022.
Article 18 ● Rules language
The French version of this regulation will be the official version of reference in the case of a dispute.
Article 19 ● Contestation of the decision
The decision of the jury is final.