Local Composer Wins Composition Prize

Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop Announces 2009 Composition Contest Prizewinners

CAMPBELL, CA - Tony Clements, Director of the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop, announced the 2009 Composition Contest winners on Monday, May 4, 2009.

John W. N. Palmer from Kingston, Ontario, Canada won the first place prize of US$2000 with his octet titled “A Little Spanish … A Little Latin.” Michael Mikulka, from Kittatinny Lake, NJ, took second place, winning US$1000 for “Concertpiece for Brass Octet.” The US$500 third place prize was awarded to Mark Thome, of Tumwater, WA, for “Scenes from Sylvester Park.” Four composers received Honorable Mention: Wayne Fritchie, Pensacola, FL, for “Suite for Brass Opus 9 #1”, Michael Kibbe, Tujunga, CA, for “Humboldt Currents,” Philip Orem, Arlington Heights, IL, for “Octet in E-Flat,” and Brian Sadler, Mesa, AZ, for “Eight Short Pieces for Brass Octet.”

The contest focused on original works for brass octet written for college-level players. Compositions had multiple movements totaling 13 to 15 minutes duration. All qualifying contest entries were played and evaluated by the workshop coaching staff, professional brass musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Amateur musicians will perform contest submissions in a workshop format during the July 2009 Brass Chamber Music Workshop at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. All compositions submitted become part of the workshop’s extensive brass chamber music library.

“We have added some wonderful music to our library,” said Clements. “I am especially excited by the strong response to our increased cash prizes. Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to all the fine composers who submitted works.”

The Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop is held each summer in two one-week sessions. 2009 sessions are scheduled for July 19-25 and July 26-August 1. Activities include: daily chamber ensemble rehearsals coached by some of the West Coast’s finest brass musicians; daily performances by participants; brass choir reading sessions; abundant freelance playing time; special-interest sessions on brass-related topics; and spectacular California North Coast scenery.

For further information regarding the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop or the Composition Contest visit http://www.humboldt.edu/~extended/special/brass/.