Vaughan Williams Memorial Composition Competition The Results 'A very fine selection of pieces with a diverse selection of texts. Overall the standard was very high, though there were pieces that did not fit the competition rules, and also a few pieces that showed considerable musical skill but at the expense of the words; and I would argue therefore, to the detriment of the listener. Whilst there were some interesting vocal 'orchestrations' in some, an awareness of the capabilities of the voice were lacking in a few pieces. The short-listed pieces all have merits in one way or another, either in their fine word setting, or melodic appeal or simply in the skill in which the music has clothed the words.' Tim Knight The Winner Stephen Murray The blueberry lesson A very evocative setting of the text with the piano part lending support to the vocal parts without being obtrusive. Steve Murray resides in Western Massachusetts where he is an arranger and composer. He teaches music theory and composition at the Berkshire Community College. He studied composition with Eugene Hill at Miami University and with Donald Freund at Memphis State University. His published compositions range from Art songs to choral works, from instrumental chamber music to jazz pieces. Mr. Murray leads and plays in his own 8-piece jazz band and he sings with and Albany Pro Musica in Albany, New York.   The runner up Rosalind Rogerson You spotted snakes A very cleverly written piece deriving much variety from a simple motif. Rosalind concentrates mainly on composing and arranging for the 15 - bell hand-bell team Broomhill Bells in Sheffield, UK. She was pleased to be free of the restrictions normally placed on her, and has clearly thrived on it.   The following pieces were short-listed Alun Grafton Now welcome summer Highly commended This piece catches the style of the text from the outset and maintains it throughout. The piano part complements the vocal writing splendidly. One slight concern was that some of the unison sections were rather high for altos and basses. I M Tipping Go and catch a falling star Highly commended Very well executed. Although clearly a modern piece of writing it manages to evoke the period of John Donne's text. Greg Bartholomew And the wind A simple and effective setting evoking the mood of the words. Dr. Klaus Miehling Sundown The simple vocal style and sympathetic piano part caught the mood of the poem admirably. Robert Parker Echo A simple and effective setting of the text. Stephen Murray O by the by Interesting word painting, but lacking a unifying thread. Nicholas O'Neill All Nature Some interesting word painting but some stylistic inconsistencies. Benjamin Payne He wishes for the cloths of heaven The vocal writing expresses the text exceedingly well and maintains a consistant style throughout. The piano part was found to be rather distracting in places.   The following entries were unsuccessful this time and are listed alphabetically according to the composer's first name.   Andrea Vitello A song from Joyce Well written and constructed piece. C Hutchings Sleep Well conceived, but really would work better as the composer suggests as a quartet, the words would be hard to justify in a secular concert. Cheryl Camm Maggie's Rant Although this is an exceptionally well styled and well thought out piece it really has an appeal limited to a certain geographical area. CHONG HO HONG Psalm 23 Sacred piece - rules stated text should be secular Christopher Clark Invictus Words sacred D J Wickens They lie at rest Well written and constructed piece Dagmar Feyen Two Pigeons Fine choice of text and Interesting writing Dave Smart A sierra of clouds Suffers from word setting difficulties David Carhart Vertue Seems to use the piano as a linking instrument when its not really needed, the voice parts are unlikely to sustain an audiences interest David Lee A Dream Stylistically not consistent Donald J Lane Wake, love, mine own Shows considerable skill in compositional styles Ernesto Rodriguez-Monsalve Alvarez Ode to Europe Word setting problems F L Dunkin Wedd At a lunar eclipse Musically dull Fergal Dowling Song for Astrid Good, but the words suffer at the hands of the music H R Collins-Rice Vanitas Vanitatum Good but the music overpowers the words Hazel Leach Lines in space Too much divisi J Nicholson-Heathcote Awakening Very commendable and effective ( though the use of two Soprano lines was integral) J R Stead What's to be said about love Composers name on Manuscript James E Bailey The Negro Soldiers No entry fee Joelle Wallach The Clothes of Heaven Part writing over difficult unnecessarily John Jordan All my trials Too much divisi and an arrangement not an original piece John Summers Hearts must answer Word setting problems Jonathan Santore Kalevala Fragments This really does have the winning ingredients but on balance I have removed it from my shortlist because of the amount of divisi Kyle Kenneth Blatter The beauty of death Very commendable but unnecessarily awkward in places Malcolm Dedman Remember A strange setting of these words Mark Isaacs I carry your heart with me Too much divisi Mary Lou Prince Harvest Song Harmonically strange in places Mary Lou Prince We came to see the sun For a different choir this would make a good piece, for us technically too easy Michael R Short These earthly years Fine vocal writing but detracted from by the piano writing Mitchell Feinberg I suoi occhi Italian words -rules state text must be in English MOON YOUNG HA Hope is the thing with feathers Too much divisi P Robinson What is your substance Nicely written P Robinson If I had wings Nicely written Paul Paviour The Rose of Flame Nicely written Pierre-Henri Wicomb Territories Even allowing for the stylistic instructions the reason for the piece is not clear Robert Hugill The First Spring Day Had the makings of a good piece but lost its way a little Sheena Phillips The Isle is full of noises Requires at the very least a choir with more rehearsal time Simon Alistair Wilcox The sick rose Incorporates solo and strange inconsistencies Stephen Murray A Canadian choral fanfare Too much divisi Stephen Murray In Flanders Field Hard to justify the text as secular Vincent Jockin Shakespeare Song This has much to commend it in terms of style Vladislav Shoot She came and went Has a mystical quality which reflects the words well and also maybe the tragedy which perhaps inspired this piece Wally Kleucker Good Councel of Chaucer Well written and constructed piece
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