Handbell Musicians of America announces the David R. Davidson Composition Contest, in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Distinctly Bronze. The David R. Davidson Composition Fund was created in October 2009 to encourage the creation of original works for advanced handbell ensembles. Works selected for awards from this fund illustrate the high musical standards embodied by Maestro David Davidson.

Compositions will be judged by an anonymous committee appointed by the executive director. The winning composition will be published by AGEHR Publishing, Inc., and performed at Distinctly Bronze East in New Bern, North Carolina on March 3, 2024. The composer of the winning composition will receive a cash prize of $1,500, transportation to New Bern, NC, and two nights lodging during Distinctly Bronze East, so they may be present for the first performance of the piece.

Deadline was August 1st, 2023, 5pm EST

Guidelines

• Entries must be original compositions written for a full handbell choir.

• Compositions may be written for 3-7 octaves or 5-7 octaves.

• Compositions may include additional optional instruments.

• Entries may not be submitted to any other composition contest or publisher while being considered for this contest.

• Preference will be given to works submitted by young and/or new composers.

• Members of the Davidson Composition Fund Committee may not submit entries to the contest.

Handbell Musicians of America reserves first performance rights in New Bern, North Carolina, in March 2024. The winning composition may not be performed in any service, concert, or festival prior to this time except for the composer’s personal use with their own bell choir.

Submission Instructions

Compositions to be sent via email to Handbell Musicians of America executive director, Linda Onorevole, no later than 5:00 PM eastern daylight time Standard Time on August 1, 2023.

Entries must include the following (in separate attachments or in a zip file):

• The subject line of the e-mail must contain “David Davidson Composition Contest.”

• A PDF of the composition score - the score must NOT include the composer’s name.

• An mp3 audio version of the composition.

• An anonymous resume for the composer including the following information:

  • Birth date, including year.

  • A summary of previous compositions and the genre/instrument for which they were written.

  • A summary of published compositions and the genre/instrument for which they were written.

  • A brief description of musical & composition training and education.

  • Composer contact information including full name, e-mail address, mailing address, and daytime phone number.

Timeline

• August 1, 2023: submission deadline. 

• September 15, 2023: winner notified. The committee reserves the right to select no winner if no qualified entries are received.

• March 3, 2024: composition performed at Distinctly Bronze East in New Bern, North Carolina.

HMA website