The 2010-2011 Longfellow Chorus Cantata Submission Page

The Longfellow Chorus, of Portland, Maine, is a 50-member non-profit chorus, with the mission of inspiring new vocal and choral settings of the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882.

The Longfellow Chorus is a community chorus that maintains a high standard of performance. The SATB chorus may be divided into as many as eight parts, SSAATTBB.
Ranges: SI bb - b2; SII a - f#2; AI g - f2; AII f - e2; TI Bb - bb1; TII Bb - f#1; Bar Gb - f1; B Db - e1.


The Longfellow Chorus Orchestra is comprised of professional orchestra musicians from Maine and the neighboring area. Cantata settings must be orchestrated using the following instruments: one stand each Violin I, Violin II, Viola and Cello, one Double Bass; Flute I, Flute II and Piccolo (three players), Oboe I and II, Clarinet I, II and Bass Clarinet, Bassoon I, II and Contra; Four Horns, Trumpet I and II, Trombone I and II, Bass Trombone, Tuba; FULL PIPE ORGAN for occasional color only; Timpani (29" and 26" only) and Two Additional Percussionists ("Gran Cassa e Piatti," one set of Orchestral Chimes and various smaller instruments at the discretion of the composer). This orchestration is identical to the orchestration of Arthur Sullivan's (serious) Longfellow cantata, The Golden Legend, which will be performed along with the winning cantatas.

All settings must reflect an understanding of the life and work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and help convey the meaning of the chosen text. Entries may represent varying compositional styles. Successful entries will show insight and imagination, be accessible to the average listener and geared toward the skill level of a community chorus comprised of adult amateur singers with excellent singing abilities. Additionally, but not exclusively, entries that incorporate culturally and ethnically diverse musical styles and traditions are encouraged. Winning settings will be premiered at the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 204th Birthday Concert, February 26 and February 27, 2011, at The First Parish in Portland, UUA, Portland, Maine, Longfellow's boyhood church.

Cantata settings (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, prose or translation exclusively) will be at least 10 and no more than 20 minutes long by the end of Stage II, below. The work must tell a story and develop themes and motives. Chorus and orchestra only, no vocal soloists. Composers are required to submit anonymously the full score of any previously composed (non-Longfellow) orchestral work. Composers are also required to submit along with this score a 3-5 minute work sample of a proposed 10-20 minute cantata setting to be completed in Stage II. Demonstration of orchestration ability and nuanced understanding of choral voices is essential.

Stage I

Anonymous representative previous orchestral score and 3-5 minute work sample of a proposed 10-20 minute cantata setting the poetry, prose or translated text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Deadline July 31, 2010.

Stage II (for selected finalists)

Anonymity lost. Completion of 10-20 minute Longfellow cantata.

• Piano-vocal score by Jan. 2, 2011
• Full score and parts by Jan. 23, 2011

Finalists chosen after Stage I deadline will lose anonymity and will complete the proposed Longfellow cantata setting by the required secondary deadlines. All finalists who meet the secondary deadline will have their cantatas performed by The Longfellow Chorus. Top prize to be announced at the February 27 concert (Longfellow's actual birthday). A non-predetermined number of alternate finalists will be chosen in the event one or both of the chosen finalists fail to meet the required deadlines.
The Longfellow Chorus reserves the right to deny performance to finalists not meeting Stage II deadlines, or not producing a cantata equaling the standards demonstrated and proposed during Stage I.

PRIZE

First Prize: $400, plus premiere performance February 26 and 27, 2011, and archival audio recording.
Second Prize: No monetary award, but premiere performance February 26 and 27, 2011, and archival audio recording.

ENTRY FEE:

Stage I only -- $15

SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

There are two ways to submit scores: regular mail, or email.

Submitting by Email

Email a PDF file of your cover letter and scores, following the submission format described above, to Charles Kaufmann (director@longfellowchorus.com)

The PDF file must contain your cover letter as first page, including your name, contact information and title of the representative orchestral work and cantata setting. The next pages must be the actual scores without the name of the composer.

Do not send sound files

If submitting online, please include only one copy of your scores in the PDF. If sending by mail, two copies must be enclosed (see below).

After emailing a PDF of your cover letter and scores, use the "Pay Now" link below to pay your $15.74 submission fee through PayPal (0.74 USD added as online transaction fee). A submitted PDF cover letter and scores without corresponding PayPal fee payment by the submission deadline will be disqualified.

Submitting by Regular Mail

The composer's name must not appear on the score.

Do not send sound files
Send two copies of the score.
Please include a cover letter with composer's name, address, contact information and title of the setting.

Submissions limited to one choral setting (less than 6 minutes), one solo song (alto, less than six minutes) and one choral-orchestral cantata proposal (previously composed orchestral score and a 3-5 minute work sample of a 10-20 minute proposed Longfellow cantata) per composer.

MAIL TO:

The Longfellow Chorus, Inc.
C/O Charles Kaufmann
P. O. Box 5133
Portland, Maine
04101

Checks payable to "The Longfellow Chorus, Inc."

Questions? Contact Longfellow Chorus director Charles Kaufmann