
The Longfellow Chorus is doing such joyful and important work.
- Diana Korzenik, founder and first president of The Friends of Longfellow House
Charles Kaufmann has single-handedly resurrected an interest in Longfellow and how Longfellow's poetry has been set to music in the past; and, in addition, he has inspired composers world-wide to create new music set to Longfellow's poetry.
- Lily Gordon, trustee, Longfellow's Wayside Inn National Historic Site
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COMPETITION RULES Questions? Contact Longfellow Chorus director Charles Kaufmann The Longfellow Chorus, of Portland, Maine, a 60-member non-profit chorus with the mission of inspiring new vocal and choral settings of the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882, announces its second annual Longfellow Chorus International Composers Competition, 2008-2009. New, original settings of Longfellow poetry, and/or excerpts from the poet's fiction, dramatic work or prose, will be accepted in two categories: choral or solo song bass-baritone. The choral or solo song bass-baritone settings should not exceed 6 minutes in length. Choral settings may be a cappella or accompanied by piano. If a cappella, please provide reduced piano staves for rehearsal. Solo songs for bass-baritone may be accompanied by either piano or sitar/tabla. The 60-member Longfellow Chorus is a community chorus; 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. Solo bass-baritone songs must be written for a vocal range of low E to high G. Tablist Amos Libby explains how to score for Hindustani tabla. Winning settings will be premiered at the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 202nd Birthday Concert, February 22, 2009, at The First Parish in Portland, UUA, Portland, Maine, Longfellow's boyhood church. The settings must reflect an understanding of the life and work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and help convey the meaning of the chosen text. 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 amateur singers with excellent singing abilities. Additionally, but not exclusively, classically based works that incorporate culturally and ethnically diverse musical styles and traditions are encouraged. PRINT RESOURCES: Longfellow: A Rediscovered Life, Charles A. Calhoun Beacon Press, 2005, 317pp; ISBN 0-8070-7026-2 The first Longfellow biography in over fifty years. Longfellow, Poems and other Writings, J. D. McClatchy, editor Library of America, 2000 802pp; ISBN 1-883011-85-x The most complete collection of Longfellow writings, biography and time-line available. WEB RESOURCES: hwlongfellow.org of The Maine Historical Society The Longfellow National Historic Site, Cambridge, Mass. ![]() "Afternoon in February," the first in our CD series of historic Longfellow music, is now available. This 2 CD set, with an informative 8-page booklet, features The Longfellow Chorus and soloists, and contains songs and choruses never before recorded (anywhere). $18.00 plus shipping. | ![]() The Longfellow Chamber Chorus, Aug. 3, 2008COMPETITION AUDIO RESOURCES: |
SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION
Questions? Contact Longfellow Chorus director Charles Kaufmann The Longfellow Chorus International Composers' Competition is patterned after the Ithaca Choral Music Composition Contest, in which Longfellow Chorus director Charles Kaufmann has twice been a finalist (2003 and 2007). His Longfellow setting, Snow-Flakes, won the second prize of the 2007 Ithaca Competition. PRIZES: Choral Setting First Prize: $300, plus premiere performance, February 22, 2009, and archival audio recording. Choral Setting Second Prize: $50, or amount determined by the number of submissions, plus premiere performance, February 22, 2009, and archival audio recording. Solo Song Bass-Baritone First Prize: $300, plus premiere performance, February 22, 2009, and archival audio recording. Solo Song Bass-Baritone Second Prize: $50, or amount determined by the number of submissions, plus premiere performance, February 22, 2009, and archival audio recording. Additionally, a number of selections by finalists will be premiered and recorded on February 22, 2009. (The 2007-2008 finalists displayed an exceptional level of compositional ability). Winning composers may be featured in a preconcert lecture at the Longfellow 202nd Birthday Choral Concert. Compensation for travel to Portland, Maine, not provided. DEADLINES: Choral Setting -- December 12, 2008 Solo Song Bass-Baritone-- December 12, 2008 Entry Fees: Choral Setting -- $15 Solo Song -- $15 Checks payable to "The Longfellow Chorus, Inc." 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 and performance copies of winning entries, when applicable, will not be returned, but destroyed after February 22, 2009. Submissions limited to one choral setting and one solo song per composer. MAIL TO: The Longfellow Chorus, Inc. C/O Charles Kaufmann P. O. Box 5133 Portland, Maine 04101 CONTACT The Longfellow Chorus: clk328@rcn.com ![]() The Longfellow Chamber Chorus, Aug. 3, 2008 |