The Really Terrible Orchestra’s Emerging Composer Prize 2016

 The Really Terrible Orchestra (The RTO) is celebrating its 20th year by offering a prize for emerging composers.

[FAQs]

The winner will receive a prize of £1000 and will have their composition performed by the RTO.

The RTO was formed in Edinburgh for adults who weren’t good enough to play in a serious amateur orchestra. Despite our modest standard we have managed to have lot of fun, and we have created a concert format which audiences enjoy.
Most of our concerts are in Scotland including an annual concert during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, (usually a sell-out with over 500 people) but we have also performed in major concert halls in London, New York and Utrecht.
We have been fortunate to have a number of pieces written especially for us. These have been works that are challenging for us but still within our limited range, and also accessible to and enjoyable by our audience.
During 2015 we have had particular success with new music from three composers, and this, coupled with wanting to do something special for our anniversary, has prompted us to reach out to emerging composers in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, in the hope of finding yet more great pieces to perform – and we hope to play a part in encouraging the careers of those who participate.
The winning entry will be announced at our Edinburgh Festival Fringe concert in August 2016, and will either be played then or at a special concert later in the year.

FURTHER BACKGROUND MATERIAL

The competition announcement and entry form

You can get the rules, your entry form and a flyer to publicise the competition, by clicking on the images above.

Potential entrants may have received this already through their educational institution or through teachers or other contacts. The important thing here is to know that this is for people who have not really had their work much in the public eye (or rather ear!) so far. The document tells you more.

The Entry Form above should be a useful guide to register your interest in entering the competition.

Please fill it in and return it either by email or post to the addresses indicated on the form.

And what about our musical capabilities?

A full list of the usual instrumentation and capabilities of the players is available on request from the RTO by emailing competition@thereallyterribleorchestra.com.
It will be sent within a few days.

While we play music with full orchestral parts, we are strong (at least in numbers!) in certain sections like percussion and clarinets, but a bit sparse in others (like violas). We have up to 7 or 8 in each of the first and second violins and 4 or 5 cellos and two double basses but this is not full strength for a symphony orchestra and they can thus get drowned out by the brass. So composers need to bear things like this in mind. As a rule, we tend to have two of each instrument in wind and brass, occasionally more.

And then you need to understand something of the skill levels of the players. We have tried to give an indication in the list, but it might be worth explaining that our players are drawn from several different musical backgrounds. Some have played earlier in life (at school for example) and have rekindled their interest after many years of deteriorating skill. Others are competent musicians already but have joined so that they can play a new instrument in a “safe” environment. And some may have just taken up music for the first time as a hobby. There are a few accomplished players scatted amongst the sections. For example in each of the violin and cello sections there is usually one or two players who can bring the others along – most of the time! We also occasionally have competent guest players for the concerts who can strengthen the musicality somewhat

Sample music and programs

Here are a few examples of the scores of the composed music that we have played recently. Click on the music icons below.

You can also get an idea of the music we have tackled by looking at the programmes for some of our past concerts.

Just click on any icon below.

There are also some AUDIOS and VIDEOS (coming soon)  of the RTO performing. This also gives you an idea of what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions