2021/2022 Composition Competition
WINNER ANNOUNCED
Aaron Travers
The winner of the competition was Aaron Travers of Bloomington, Indiana, for his composition “Midnight Toccatas,” a work for solo organ. Dr. Travers is Associate Professor of Composition at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Dr. Travers received the prize of $10,000 and a premiere of the composition was announced for the 2022-2023 season. In addition, this work was published.
The competition was announced in January 2021 and received 42 entries from applicants across 15 states.
We are grateful to all who entered, and to our judges:
Frank Ticheli, DMA
Professor of Composition
USC Thornton School of Music
David Briggs
Artist in Residence, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City
Stephen Tharp
Internationally Acclaimed Concert Organist and recording Artist; Teacher and Educator, New York City
Competition Details
The Ruth and Clarence Mader Memorial Scholarship Fund announced a Composition Competition for an organ work to mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Fund. The goal of the competition was to honor the Mader name through a work that will become a lasting staple of the organ repertoire.
Ruth and Clarence Mader will always be an inspiration to those privileged to have known them. The Fund is a response by students, colleagues, family and friends to widespread expressions of appreciation for the high ideals and artistic accomplishments of Ruth and Clarence Mader.
TIMELINE
The competition was open to contestants on January 1, 2021. The deadline for receiving entries was December 17, 2021 (the exact date of the 50th anniversary of the Mader Fund founding). The winner was announced February 1, 2022.
DETAILS
Contestants submitted a work for organ based upon the name RC MADER.
Thematic basis for work:
The theme of this work was based on the pitches: D C E A D E-flat D-flat (pitches derived from note names and solfege to represent the name MADER, including the initials for first names of both Ruth and Clarence).
While it was requirement that the composition contain the theme provided herein, the committee also acknowledged the composer’s freedom to vary and develop the theme according to his/her needs and tastes.
Length of work: Approximately 8-12 minutes.
Form: At the discretion of the composer.
Prize:
-
$10,000
-
Publication
-
Premiere performance (details to be determined)
Who was Eligible: Residents of the United States (U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and international students residing in the U.S.)
Age Limit: None
Submission:
-
Compositions were submitted electronically (PDF file).
-
Composers included their names on page 1 of the score, but remained anonymous to the judges.
-
Recordings, live or via MIDI, were also be submitted.
Materials were submitted via email to Dr. Craig Phillips, Committee Chair.
JUDGING
A distinguished panel of judges reviewed all entries, the winner was chosen accordingly and announced February 1, 2022.
​
Mader Composition Competition Committee:
-
Craig Phillips, Chair
-
Cherry Rhodes
-
Ladd Thomas
-
Linda Brown
​​