Accordionists and Teachers Guild, Int’l.
Special 2014 Original Composition Competition
(ATG 2014 Competition to Select Newly-written Original Works for the Accordion)
Information and Entry Form in .pdf format

The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, a non-profit educational organization devoted to the advancement of the accordion, holds an Annual Festival each summer.  These Festivals are moved among various cities as a means of reaching out to as many different people interested in the instrument as possible.  This year the event will be July 23-26 in San Francisco, CA at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport Hotel in Burlingame. 
 
One of the concerts presented during the event will be on Friday, July 26 at 3 PM and will be devoted entirely to Original Music Written for the Accordion, both newly-composed and from previous years.  Performers will be accordion soloists and accordionists playing with other musicians in groups of varying sizes.
 
Winners of the ATG 2014 Competition to Select Newly-written Original Works for the Accordion will have the opportunity to have their compositions performed on this concert and all winners will be recognized onstage.
 
Rules for the Competition:

• The submitted composition must be a solo written especially for this event; it must be newly composed and must not have been previously performed.
• This particular competition is for composers who have never written for the accordion.  It is designed to introduce the instrument to new and/or young composers who have had no previous experience writing for the accordion.
• The duration must not be more than 5 minutes in length and no less than 3 minutes.
• The piece may be written in any style.
• The composition may be written for any type of piano accordion or chromatic accordion and may include left-hand free bass, stradella, either alone or with both free bass and stradella system.  Electronic or MIDI instruments may not be used in this year’s competition.
• All entries must be submitted via e-mail and must include the following:
       1)  manuscripts must be submitted as a pdf; no hand-written music will be accepted.
       2)  a description of the work of approximately 50 words.
       3)  a biography of the composer of approximately 50 words.
       4)  a photo of the composer
• There is NO required entry fee.
• There will be awards as follows:
        Top three winners will have their pieces performed on the July 24 Concert in San Francisco.
        First Place Winner will receive a prize of $200.
        Second Place Winner will receive a prize of $150.
        Third Place Winner will receive a prize of $100.
• No manuscripts will be returned; entrants should be sure to keep their own copies; none will be published or distributed without written permission from the composer. 
• All entries must be received by the Chair of the Composition Competition no later than June 15 in order for their entries to be adjudicated and given out for performance on the July 23 Original Music Concert.  If the composer of the selected pieces wishes to perform the piece, that would be accepted, of course; otherwise a performer will be selected to do so.
• All entries will be adjudicated by a panel of ATG adjudicators.  All decisions are final and may not be challenged.  The ATG has the right not to award all three prizes if the quality of the entries does not warrant the awards.
• All entries must be sent via e-mail to:  Joansommers@kc.rr.com

• Seven Categories of Coupe Mondiale Competition Qualificiations
• ATG All American Salute Solo Competition
  
• ATG Tango Times Two Solo Competition
  
• Accordion Plus One
  
• Accordion(s) & More
  
• Entertainment Showcase
  
• ATG US Solo Championship (Junior and Senior)
  
• ATG Festival Competitions (Solo, Duet, Groups)

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR VIRTUOSO ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC (2 Rounds)
up to 32 years of age
First Prize: $300.00 travel subsidy
 
The following are a brief summary of the rules, click here for exact requirements
 
Round 1
Own Choice Program – at least 2 pieces of different styles and moods. Maximum 9 minutes.
Round 2
Own Choice Program – at least 2 pieces of different styles and moods. Maximum 9 minutes.

JUNIOR INTL. COMPETITION FOR VIRTUOSO ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC (2 Rounds)
up to 18 years of age
First Prize: $300.00 travel subsidy
 
The following are a brief summary of the rules, click here for exact requirements
 
Round 1
Own Choice Program – at least 2 pieces of different styles and moods. Maximum 7 minutes playing time.
Round 2
Own Choice Program – at least 2 pieces of different styles and moods. Maximum 7 minutes playing time.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR ENSEMBLE MUSIC (1 Round)
up to 32 years of age
First Prize: $300.00 travel subsidy
 
The following are a brief summary of the rules, click here for exact requirements
 
Own Choice Program
2-5 musicians – minimum 1 accordion. No electronics (except Bass instrument may be amplified if necessary). Own Choice Program of concert music – at least 2 contrasting pieces. Minimum 15 minutes, maximum 20 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR DIGITAL ACCORDION (1 Round)
up to 32 years of age
First Prize: $300.00 travel subsidy
 
The following are a brief summary of the rules, click here for exact requirements
 
Own Choice Program
Entertainment Program with a maximum of 15 minutes playing time.

• a. Two pieces must be selected with different style or character. Total Playing time: 10 minutes.
• b. Ages (professional or student) in three age divisions
  1) Under 18 years as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $75.00
  2) 18 years and older as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $100.00
  3) 32 years and older as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $125.00 -
• c. Music is allowed; however, in case of tie, entrant playing by memory will prevail
• d. Trophies will be awarded in each age division
• e. Cash awards will be made to First Place winner in each age division as listed above
• f. USD $45.00 Entry Fee in each age division
• Entry Form

• a. Two pieces must be selected with different style or character. Total Playing time: 10 minutes.
• b. Age (professional or student) in three age divisions
  1) Under 18 years as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $75.00
  2) 18 years and older as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $100.00
  3) 32 years and older as of July 23, 2014 - First Prize: $125.00
• c. Music is allowed; however, in case of tie, entrant playing by memory will prevail
• d. Trophies will be awarded in each age division
• e. Cash awards will be made to First Place winner in each age division as listed above
• f. USD $45.00 Entry Fee in each age division
• Entry Form

• a. Age category will be based on the age of the older member in the duo.
• b. Student performing with a teacher or other professional will be allowed, but will
  be judged in specified category.
• c. Categories for adults, teachers, amateur or professional, will be allowed, but will be judged in specified category.
• d. Music is free-choice; at least two pieces of different style or character. Total playing time: 10 minutes.
• e. Music is allowed.
• f. Trophies will be awarded to each member of the duo.
• g. USD $25.00 Entry Fee
• Entry Form

• a. Age category will be based on the age of the oldest member in the group.
• b. Students performing with a teacher or other professionals will be allowed, but will
  be judged in specified category.
• c. Music is free-choice; at least two pieces of different style or character. Total playing time: 10 minutes.
• d. Music is allowed; with or without a conductor.
• e. Trophy will be awarded to the Group; individual trophies may be purchased.
• f. USD $ 40.00 (Ensembles: 3-7 members) USD $ 60.00 (Orchestras: 8 or more members)
• Entry Form

• a. May use any number of other instruments or voices, but must include and feature at least one accordion.
• b. No age restrictions.
• c. Music is free-choice; at least two pieces of different style or character. Total playing time: 10 minutes.
• d. Music is allowed; with or without a conductor. Must furnish own equipment.
• e. Trophy will be award to the Group; individual trophies may be purchased
• f. First Prize: $250.00, Second Prize: $150.00, Third Prize: $100.00
  Prizes sponsored by the San Francisco Accordion Club (SFAC)
• g. Winner will peform on Gala Concert
• h. USD $ 40.00 (Ensembles: 3-7 members) USD $ 60.00 (Orchestras: 8 or more members)
• Entry Form

Designed for the outstanding players who love competition and look to gain experience in International Competitions. Contestants may perform their own choice of music but must perform at least three (3) pieces. Note: Candidates wishing to enter the Coupe Mondiale are invited to see the rules for the various categories of Coupe Mondiale qualifying competitions.

General Information: Music must be performed by memory. The time limits are: minimum of 15 and a maximum of 18 minutes. Entrant maybe penalized if playing under or over the limits.

Rules for this special competition are:

• 1. One piece must show proficiency in use of the left hand free bass.
• 2. One piece must be originally composed for the accordion.
• 3. One piece must show technical virtuoso abilities.
• 4. The age limit for the Junior category is 18 as of July 23, 2014
      The age limit for the Senior category is 32 as of July 23, 2014
• 5. Entrant may be of any nationality since it is not a qualifying category
      for the Coupe Mondiale representing the United States.
• 6. Entry Fee: USD $45.00

Prizes to be awarded in the Senior category:

• 1. The First Place winner will be awarded $200.00 plus a trophy and a certificate.
• 2. The Second Place winner will be awarded $100.00 plus a trophy and a certificate.
  

Prizes to be awarded in the Junior category:

• 1. The First Place winner will be awarded $150.00 plus a trophy and a certificate.
• 2. The Second Place winner will be awarded $75.00 plus a trophy and a certificate.

Entry Form: Official Entry Form in .pdf format

Please complete your entry form, include your payment and mail to:
 
Betty Jo Simon
10349 Century Lane,
Overland Park, KS 66215
 
Phone: 913-888-4706
E-mail: betty@bettyjosimon.com
 

• ATG Composition Competition Information and Entry Form
• US Championship Categories and Entry Form (Senior and Junior)
• Special Categories for 2014 in Solo, Duo and Ensemble and/or Orchestra
    All American Salute
    Tango Times Two
    Accordion Plus One
    Accordion(s) and More!
    Entertainment Showcase
  
• 2014 Festival Competitions (Solo, Duet and Groups)
• ATG General Rules and Festival Competitions
• ATG Coupe Mondiale Qualifying Categories (held prior to the ATG Festival)
• Solo Entry Form
• Duet Entry Form
• Ensemble/Group Entry Form
• Summary Form