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2018 Festival Prizes June 6-9, 2018

Early bird applications will be accepted 9/1/17 We wish to thank Classic Pianos of Denver and the Rockley Music Center for co-hosting the

2018 festival.

• Prize amounts may increase or decrease contingent on fund-raising.

• Subject to change without notice.

• Any repertory for one, two or three pianos* is allowed (including movements of sonatas, suites or concertos), unless otherwise noted.

*3rd piano contingent on space and availability

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EDUCATIONAL INFO & FURTHER EXPLANATIONS OF PRIZES

For additional educational and explanatory information about certain prizes, see links below, but be sure to return to the Abundant Silence

website to enroll in the 2018 Festival for Creative Pianists.

REPERTORY EXCELLENCE AWARDS (19) • THE ROGERS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A PRE-BAROQUE OR BAROQUE PERIOD WORK - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory info _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CLASSICAL PERIOD WORK - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A ROMANTIC PERIOD WORK - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK BY AN IMPRESSIONIST COMPOSER - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY WORK (IN ANY STYLE) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________    •    THE  VALERIE  MISHEK  AWARD  FOR  BEST  PERFORMANCE  OF  AN  ETUDE  (IN  ANY  STYLE)  -­‐  Prize:  $50  _____________ JUDGES' AWARDS (3) - These three awards go to the best performance(s) of works written, arranged or edited by our three distinguished perennial judges. Teachers and students are encouraged to contact the judges directly for more information about their works and editions: Dr. John Salmon Dr. Kevin Olson Wynn-Anne Rossi

• BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK WRITTEN, ARRANGED OR EDITED BY JOHN SALMON - Prize: $50 REPRESENTATIVE QUALIFYING MUSIC: JOHN SALMON

• NEW!!!: Jazz up the Sinfonias (J. S. Bach) by John Salmon • Jazz Standards arranged for solo piano by John Salmon • Jazz Up the Inventions: J. S. Bach's Two-Part Inventions with Jazzy Accompaniments (duet) • Add On Bach: Variants, Lead-ins, and New Lines Added to Selected Inventions (solo & duet) • Videos • Dave Brubeck At the Piano – Edited by John Salmon (Amazon) - or see Sheetmusicplus • Seriously Brubeck – Edited by Gail Lew & John Salmon • Nocturnes by Dave Brubeck – Edited by John Salmon • Original music by Salmon recorded on CD: Salmon Is a Jumpin' (Write to Dr. Salmon to inquire if any of his original compositions are available in manuscript.) • Recordings on YouTube ----- • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK WRITTEN, ARRANGED OR EDITED BY KEVIN OLSON* - Prize: $50 *Unavailable to judge in 2018; however, the prize will still be offered REPRESENTATIVE QUALIFYING MUSIC: KEVIN OLSON • Complete list of Olson publications with FJH • Collections of Dr. Olson's best music • NFMC Choice: Impressions on Color • Recordings: University of Iowa Piano Pedagogy Video Recording Project ----- • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK WRITTEN, ARRANGED OR EDITED BY WYNN-ANNE ROSSI - Prize: $50 REPRESENTATIVE QUALIFYING MUSIC: WYNN-ANNE ROSSI • Rossi website info (best source) • Onlinesheetmusic • Recordings: University of Iowa Piano Pedagogy Video Recording Project

• NEW: A lesson on Jazzin' Americana (terrific 4-book series) _____________ • THE EVELYN BILLBERG AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A COMPOSITION IN ANY STYLE WRITTEN WHOLLY BY A FEMALE COMPOSER - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________

NEW $200 PRIZE!!! • THE DONNA BURGESS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A COMPOSITION IN ANY STYLE BY MARJORIE BURGESS (info below)

- Prize: $200 + free "Music of Marjorie Burgess CD" (Arthur Houle, piano; see at bottom of this page) Marjorie Burgess (1915 - 2005) was a versatile composer from Massachusetts whose works often won critical acclaim. Jazz, rag, gospel, folk, impressionistic, and neo-baroque are among the many styles represented in her eclectic music. • RECORDINGS OF MUSIC BY BURGESS: Contact Dr. Houle, who has recorded almost everything. See at bottom of this page. • INFO ABOUT BURGESS SHEET MUSIC & CDs: Contact Donna Burgess, Marjorie's daughter (ph: 978.774.4807) or Dr. Houle. • DOWNLOAD CATALOG (includes Burgess piano solo music); order music from Willis Music: 1-800.354.9799 or email Kyle Remnan. • 1 PIANO, 4 HANDS MUSIC: Penny Candy (Rag) [Sheet Music; Recording] & March of the Haunted House [Sheet Music]. • MORE INFO: BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE _____________ • THE LUKE RACKERS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF ANY PIANO SOLO WORK PUBLISHED BY ABUNDANT SILENCE - Prize: $50 • To access the ever-expanding list of piano solo publications that would qualify for this prize, see here. _____________ • THE LUKE RACKERS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF ANY CHAMBER WORK [PIANO WITH OTHER INSTRUMENT(S)] PUBLISHED BY ABUNDANT SILENCE - Prize: $50 • To access the ever-expanding list of collaborative piano publications that would qualify for this prize, see here. • Please note that this prize would be awarded only to piano contestants enrolled in the festival, not to any collaborators in ensemble pieces. • Students are responsible for bringing their own collaborators. Please list their names and instruments when submitting repertory. _____________

NEW CLEMENTI PRIZE!!! • THE ARTHUR HOULE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF ONE OR MORE MOVEMENTS FROM SIX PROGRESSIVE SONATINAS, OP. 36 BY MUZIO CLEMENTI, AUTHENTIC REVISED EDITION (Edited by Arthur Houle), as newly published by ABUNDANT SILENCE - Prize: $50 • Preference for this prize will be given to students who do repeats with variants (e.g., perform original version 1st time; revised version 2nd time) and/or lead-in cadenzas (e.g., Sonatina Op. 36/6, 1st movement, just before recapitulation). _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A LYRICAL & PREDOMINANTLY SLOW WORK - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE DENVER AREA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR THE BEST PIANIST STUDYING WITH A DAMTA MEMBER - Prize: $100 educational and explanatory information

_____________ • THE COLUMBINE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR THE BEST PIANIST STUDYING WITH A CMTA MEMBER - Prize: $100 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE ARTIST PIANIST AWARD - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE MARY LEAH CHAVIES PIANO ENSEMBLE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK FOR 4 OR MORE HANDS ON 1, 2 OR 3 PIANOS (3rd piano contingent on space and availability) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _______________________________________________ CREATIVE PIANIST AWARDS (21) • THE KAREN COMBS TRIBUTE AWARD FOR MOST VERSATILE PIANIST- Prize: $100 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE CLASSIC PIANOS AWARD FOR MOST CREATIVE PIANIST AWARD - Prize: $100 • This new award goes to the best all-around creative pianist who demonstrates the most unique and/or eclectic kinds of creativity. _____________ • BEST DEMONSTRATION OF TASTEFUL EMBELLISHING AND/OR IMPROVISING IN A CLASSICAL WORK (an appropriate work in any style period - e.g., Pre-Baroque, Baroque, Classic, Romantic or Contemporary) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CONCERTO MOVEMENT FEATURING THE PERFORMER'S OWN ORIGINAL CADENZA(S) AND/OR LEAD-IN(S) (in appropriate Baroque, Classic or Romantic period work, or in appropriate Neo-Classical contemporary work) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE DREA WAGNER AWARD FOR BEST DEMONSTRATION OF GENUINELY SPONTANEOUS IMPROVISATION IN ANY STYLE (SOLO PIANO) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE DREA WAGNER AWARD FOR BEST DEMONSTRATION OF GENUINELY SPONTANEOUS IMPROVISATION IN ANY STYLE (PIANO ENSEMBLE - 4 or more hands on 1, 2, or 3 pianos; 3rd piano contingent on space and availability) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE DARIUS HOULE AWARD FOR BEST DEMONSTRATION OF SPONTANEITY AND/OR IMPROVISATION PLAYING FROM A JAZZ LEAD SHEET - Prize: $50 • A lead sheet (or "fake chart") consists of a melody line and chord symbols; it is a form of musical shorthand. • Students must demonstrate an understanding of chord symbols and the ability to creatively improvise & embellish using only a lead sheet. • Performances from scores with full notation (every note written out) do not qualify.

_____________ • THE DARIUS HOULE AWARD FOR BEST DEMONSTRATION OF SPONTANEITY AND/OR IMPROVISATION IN A JAZZ, POP, GOSPEL OR RAG STYLE WORK - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE JENNY AND BIJAN HOULE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A COWBOY JAZZ SELECTION OR OTHER HOULE COMPOSITION - Prize: $50 (& a free fun hat to all who play Cowboy Jazz pieces!) educational and explanatory information Contact Dr. Houle if you are interested in Houle's unpublished works (intermediate to advanced levels). _____________ • THE KAREN GREENHALGH AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A TASTEFUL TRANSCRIPTION OR ARRANGEMENT (IN ANY STYLE) FOR PIANO SOLO OR FOR 4 OR MORE HANDS ON 1, 2, OR 3 PIANOS (3rd piano contingent on space and availability) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information _____________ • THE KAREN GREENHALGH AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF AN ORIGINAL TASTEFUL TRANSCRIPTION OR ARRANGEMENT (BY THE PERFORMER - IN ANY STYLE) FOR PIANO SOLO OR FOR 4 OR MORE HANDS ON 1, 2, OR 3 PIANOS (3rd piano contingent on space and availability) - Prize: $50 educational and explanatory information • Must be an original transcription or arrangement by the contestant. • Judges will evaluate the quality of both the performance and the transcription/arrangement itself. ___________________

SPECIAL COMPOSITION PRIZES (4)

• THE LUKE RACKERS AWARD FOR BEST COMPOSITION (ANY STYLE) WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY THE CONTESTANT - Prize: $50 - educational and explanatory information

--- NEW PRIZE (Note: there were no contenders for this prize in 2017)

• THE LUKE RACKERS AWARD FOR BEST COMPOSITION IN A SELECTED STYLE OR GENRE (2018 selected style: RAGTIME) WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY THE CONTESTANT - Prize: $50

- This new award recognizes the quality of both the composition and the performance. - To help foster variety in compositions, a different style or genre will be selected every year. The 2017 designated style is ragtime. - Students and teachers are welcome to make suggestions for the 2019 designated style (e.g., "Neo-Baroque," "1940's Big Band Swing Style," "Minuet," "Movie Soundtrack style" "Romantic," "Sonatina," etc.). ---

• BEST COMPOSITION BY A BUDDING YOUNG COMPOSER (AGE 12 or under) - Prize: $45 value A yearly membership to Colorado Composes with Friends, in partnership with the Musicians Society of Denver (donation of single Student Subscription Module fee – see bottom of this link_).

--- NEWEST PRIZE

• THE 2018 LUKE RACKERS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPOSITION* PUBLISHED OR WEB POSTED (member access) BY ABUNDANT SILENCE, 2015-2017 (listed below) - Prize: $50

*QUALIFYING MUSIC (cannot be performed by the composer): • Jeremy Rosenstock: "apothegm" (published) • Maria Evans: "Nostalgia" (web posted: see member access or contact Luke Rackers) • Desi Silverman-Joseph: "Fisherman's Dance" (web posted: see member access or contact Luke Rackers) • Desi Silverman-Joseph: "Night Eagle Nocturne" (web posted: see member access or contact Luke Rackers) - YouTube • Greta Thoresen: "Side Saddle Sonatina" (web posted: see member access or contact Luke Rackers) - YouTube • Maria Ali: "What They Say in Space (Disassociative)" (web posted: see member access or contact Luke Rackers) - YouTube

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VERY SPECIAL WRITTEN COMPOSITION CATEGORY - Separate application form & additional fee

• BEST ORIGINAL WRITTEN COMPOSITION PRIZES - complete info (scroll to 1/2 way down page) - FINALIST: BEST WRITTEN COMPOSITION Festival judges will perform up to approx. five finalists' compositions in a recital on Thursday, June 8th, 2017 at 7 PM. Finalists will be determined by festival directors and judges by no later than 5/5/17. - BEST WRITTEN COMPOSITION ACCEPTED FOR WEB POSTING To be determined solely by Luke Rackers and, if awarded, announced at the Awards Ceremony - BEST WRITTEN COMPOSITION ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION To be determined solely by Luke Rackers and, if awarded, announced at the Awards Ceremony • Two of the four 2017 Best Original Written Composition Finalists were honored as "Best of the Best." Their compositions have been selected for web posting (member access) by Abundant Silence:

• Maria Evans: "Nostalgia" • Desi Silverman-Joseph: "Fisherman's Dance" • Three of the seven 2016 Best Original Written Composition Finalists were honored as "Best of the Best." Their compositions have been selected for web posting (member access) by Abundant Silence:

• Desi Silverman-Joseph: "Night Eagle Nocturne" - see YouTube • Greta Thoresen: "Side Saddle Sonatina" - see YouTube • Maria Ali: "What They Say in Space (Disassociative)" - see YouTube

_______________________________________________ NEW - TWO FINALE MUSIC NOTATION SOFTWARE PRIZES!!! RETAIL VALUE: $600 each • Due to the substantial generosity of MakeMusic, Inc., up to two worthy festival participants may receive a free copy of Finale, the world's standard in music notation software - a retail value of $1200 ($600 each)! • At the discretion of the judges, these two Finale prizes may be awarded in conjunction with other prizes listed herein, or separately as special awards. • Alternatively, judges may consider awarding a Finale prize to one or two outstanding teachers (e.g., as a Creative Teacher Incentive Award - see below), especially if qualifying students already have the Finale program. _______________________________________________ ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL INFO • Judges may award more than one first prize (and/or more than one honorable mention) to the same student. • Judges are not obligated to award a prize (or honorable mention) in every category. • If a certain prize category is not awarded, judges may award two first prizes in a different prize category. HONORABLE MENTIONS • Each category may have one or more HONORABLE MENTION prizes, at the discretion of the judges. • Judges may award up to approximately 3 to 5 honorable mention prizes. CREATIVE TEACHING INCENTIVE AWARD(S) • This discretionary accolade recognizes one or more teachers for their extraordinarily enthusiastic commitment to fostering creativity, imagination, versatility and/or originality in teaching, as demonstrated by their students in this festival. For information about past recipients, please visit our archive pages ("results").

• The winner(s) of this award will receive a FREE copy of Houle's new edition of the Sonatinas, Op. 36 (Revised version, "With Considerable Improvements") by Clementi (see above re: new Clementi Prize). _______________________________________________

RECORDINGS OF MARJORIE BURGESS MUSIC See new Donna Burgess Award under "Repertory Excellence Awards" above. Contact Dr. Houle for other recordings of individual Burgess compositions. See also CD below.

MUSIC OF MARJORIE BURGESS CD (recorded 1996) Arthur Houle, piano

To obtain this CD (or Burgess sheet music) contact Donna Burgess (978)-774-4807

Excerpts of liner notes are below.*

*Please note: For information about the availability of other Burgess recordings (albums released by Educo Records, cited below), contact Dr. Houle.

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