The Intention of the GTM
Ben Steinberg Young Composer’s Award
To encourage gifted young Jewish composers to create worthwhile and appealing music for Jewish worship and Jewish concert programming;
To encourage the composition of musically literate, Jewishly appropriate musical settings which will be of lasting, practical use for religious services or concert performances, following the compositional form and design to be announced each year;
To encourage Jewish communities throughout North America and beyond, to listen to, perhaps participate in, and above all to value Jewish musical expressions of quality which are reflective of its own time.
Composition Requirements
The 2023 requested work is a pieces (or pieces) 4 – 8 minutes in duration for an advanced volunteer SATB choir, a capella (with rehearsal keyboard) or with keyboard accompaniment. The piece(s) may include a cantor solo and can include the addition of a single instrument. Texts should be taken from the Psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat in Mishkan Tefilah, the Reform movement prayer book and must be in Hebrew (we encourage composers to consider how their piece(s) could be included during a Shabbat worship experience). Because of the length of the requested work(s), and in our attempt to create new music that is suitable in today’s synagogue and by other musical institutions such as school choirs, an option for applicants to consider is submitting two pieces that can be performed grouped together or on their own as individual pieces. While we encourage applicants to explore using Jewish modes and traditional nusach in their work, we will be looking at how pieces demonstrate sensitivity to text settings and combines accessibility and sophistication. Applicants should consider one or more of the following musical approaches/techniques: use of counterpoint, interesting rhythmic idea, and innovative interplay of the voices and/or harmonies.
- Scores must be notated in full by the composer and contain all necessary dynamics, tempi, etc. (chorded “charts” or tapes are unacceptable). Composers must submit pdf files of their scores (with the composer’s name appearing only on the first page of the score) and a recording of a live performance or MIDI rendition of their submission.
- Candidates may submit more than one entry in any given year. A previous winner of the award may submit new work in future years, but no candidate may win the award more than twice.
- Submitted pieces must not have received an award in any other competition and be unpublished at the time of the scheduled performance.
- The jury reserves the right not to award a prize in any given year, or to declare co-winners and/or honorable mentions.
The Award
Cash prize between $1,500 and $2,500 (the jury will determine the amount of the award based on merit and if there is a desire to award more than one composer);
A performance of the winning piece(s) or a portion of the winning piece(s), a regional retreat or national conference of the American Conference of Cantors/Guild of Temple Musicians, at a North American Jewish Congregation, or other meaningful venue (specific place and date of premiere to be determined by the GTM);
Transportation and accommodation costs within North America for the winning composer to attend the performance, at which they agree to be present;
Automatic submission of the winning piece to Transcontinental Music, for publication consideration;
One year’s free membership in the Guild of Temple Musicians.
Qualifications of Candidates
Applicants should be Jewish composers from any country, at least 18 years of age by the submission date, and born on or after January 1, 1987.
Criteria For Selection of Winning Entry
Musical worth (the value of the piece’s potential contribution to the field of Jewish Music);
Judaic appropriateness (Hebraic accuracy, stylistic understanding etc.);
Practical usability (the possibility of further performances).
Submission Directions