About
The Music Department at McMurry University is dedicated to being on the forefront of musical innovation and supporting the development of new repertoire by established and emerging composers. The McMurry New Music Project seeks to engage the worldwide musical community in premiering new works and promoting projects to be added to the active repertoire. The McMurry New Music Project will actively promote the winning composers via the competition website and will include a link to the composer’s personal website. Utilization of social media resources will include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube with details about the winning submissions and professional quality recordings of winning works. All selected winning compositions will be professionally recorded in separate studio sessions with mastered recordings being released on Spotify and YouTube.
2023 Information
Date: TBA
Entries are to include the following:
- Full Score (PDF format)
- Individual Parts (PDF format)
- Sound File (MIDI preferred)
- Composer Bio
- Description of Composition
Please submit all materials to newmusic@mcm.edu. Confirmation of materials received will be sent within 72 hours of composer submission. Only complete submissions will be evaluated.
Featured Composer
Bernard Scherr, PhD
Bernard Scherr’s catalog includes over 130 works for orchestra, orchestra and chorus, orchestra and soloist, solo voice, chorus, concert band, and various chamber ensembles. His orchestral works have been performed in California, Texas, and Europe, and he has received numerous commissions from professional and university ensembles. His chamber music has been performed across the US and abroad. His music and professional activities have been recognized in Boston, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. He has presented research papers or presentations of his music in Portugal, Alabama, California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State. He teaches music theory and composition at Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University. He is the co-owner of B&D Music Services, LLC, providing streaming and recording services for art music events. He holds multiple certifications in Pro Tools and Dante. He earned a BA and MFA in music from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in music from the University of Oregon.
2022 Categories
Category I - Solo Trumpet with Piano Accompaniment
- Maximum length of 10 minutes
- May be continuous or multi-movement
- May use any combination of B-flat Trumpet, C Trumpet, and Flugelhorn
- May use any combination of mutes
- Please stay within standard range of chosen instruments (F#3 to C6)
Category II - Solo Mallet Keyboard with Piano Accompaniment
- Maximum length of 10 minutes
- May be continuous or multi-movement
- May be written for Xylophone, up to 5.0 Octave Marimba, or 3-Octave Vibraphone
- May be written for 2 or 4-mallet technique
- Additional instruments may be used, but work must mainly feature one mallet keyboard instrument
Category III - Trumpet/Mallet Keyboard Duo
- Maximum length of 10 minutes
- May be continuous or multi-movement
- May use any combination of B-flat Trumpet, C Trumpet, and Flugelhorn
- May use any combination of mutes
- Please stay within standard range of chosen instruments (F#3 to C6)
- May be written for Xylophone, up to 5.0 Octave Marimba, or 3-Octave Vibraphone
- May be written for 2 or 4-mallet technique
- Additional instruments may be used, but work must mainly feature one mallet keyboard instrument
Category IV - Trumpet/Multi-Percussion Duo
- Maximum length of 10 minutes
- May be continuous or multi-movement
- May use any combination of B-flat Trumpet, C Trumpet, and Flugelhorn
- May use any combination of mutes
- Please stay within standard range of chosen instruments (F#3 to C6)
- May be written for conventional concert percussion instruments, with the exclusion of timpani or chimes
- May be written for non-traditional percussion instruments such as pipes, flower pots, etc.