Hello, great composers of Ichigo's Forums! :)

I don't quite know where to begin here, but it'll start off with this: This forum has got an immense amount of talent -- Period. Due to laziness, the acceptance of mediocrity or whatever, that talent hasn't been even remotely revealed to the public yet. I can see why so many have objected to a recent thread of mine, and I've got quite the amount of the responses from it in my (junk)box as of now. What you don't realize is that I'm trying to to get *you* to realize how ignorant and downright stupid you are to desert that talent of yours, reserved only for a tiny percentage of the population, mind you, to let it be wasted on your mediocre standards. I'm not saying you're bad composers, I'm saying that you are careless ones.

How you people can release compositions that are so far beyond your potential is beyond me. A composer's melodies can always get better, orchestration and sound quality too; But what truly pisses me off is when great composers let out a composition which they, themselves, know can be improved to their own (artistic) perfection. Believe me; responses like "Well, I compose to EXPRESS MYSELF" is worth a rat's dump to me if it comes out as an excuse from composers who I'm sure are capable of creating something quite beautiful but are for some reason content with mediocrity. This is not mediocrity from my angle: This is you being fine with composing music that isn't even up 50% of your talent.

This composition contest, which will end on March 29th, will award one composer with two grand prices. The first being $100 which will be directly transferred to their account from me personally. The second, and most important price, will be the feeling of artistic accomplishment.

The people who immediately trashed my previous thread and cluelessly went to complain about it behind my back can honestly go and fuck yourselves. The rest of you who still have that inexplicable fire burning inside of you that just won't rest until you do what it tries to tell you -- go and compose something that is up to your true standards and something that will have a true impact on this world.

Beginners and inexperienced composers have the exact same chance of winning this competition -- it will not be judged on the complexity of the piece nor the experience of the composer, but rather on the ability to maximize one's potential of music composition. So to the people who have just recently joined this great place of the WWW, feel free to do your best and submit your work.

There are a few rules though, read on.

RULES & NOTES(Read carefully)

1) The composition must be posted in this thread by March 29th, Tokyo time.

2) The composition must be composed by one composer, who also has to be a member of this forum.

3) The composition will first go through an unknown judge who will be reviewing the piece very thoroughly. Afterwards it will land in my hands for final reviewing and judging, as well as ultimately deciding who will win this contest along with its price.

4) In order to get the $100 prize, you must have a PayPal account (for my own comfort, :P). Don't worry, it is probably the safest way to transfer money on the web and it is completely free to register.

5) The prize money ($100) will be given to a rightful winner from my personal bank account; In no way is this a payment from the Community of Ichigo's Forums.

6) IMPORTANT: Contestants interested in participating in this contest; Leave me a PM-message at least two weeks before the deadline. The sooner, the better.

7) IMPORTANT: Every contestant is required to write a description of their composition when posting their entry. It will serve as the composer's written equivalent of the piece so it should reflect the music with the creator's own words. Also, it will as well weigh in when it comes to deciding the winner of the competition. This description, for the composer's privacy, is to be sent to me personally by PM after the composition has been posted here (in this thread).


GUIDELINES

Start: January 17th
Deadline: March 29th
Prize: $100

Theme/Style: There is no style, theme, instrumental or any kind of restriction for this contest. It will solely be judged on its excellency, beauty and honesty.

Final Notes

The $100 will *not* be paid at all if there is no winner worth the money, so don't you dare writing something as a 'chance' to score easy money, because you will not receive it. It will be paid to someone who deserves it, and I will not accept a composition that hasn't passed through a true composer's standards.

All compositions which have been submitted to this contest will receive full, in-depth reviews; Both composition-wise & composer-wise. On the other hand, if the submitted composition is clearly just a shot in the dark it will be tossed out immediately.

Questions, comments and other stuff will be posten in this thread, and is NOT to be written to me by PM messages.

(I really want to stress that last note: Don't send me PMs about questions regarding this competition because I will not answer you).

On that note, I would like to say I will try. I have zero composition skills, and neither have I ever composed something, but I have played piano a little.

I think this is an excellent idea, hope to hear from many more people!

Hi!

I am hear to give it my best shot. You can also see more of my music at my website http://www.web.mac.com/kevinpenkin but for now, I offer these pieces of music. Regards, Kevin Penkin



8331 Eastern Field Waltz

Heh, I'm going to be in Hamamatsu during the deadline (Mar. 24 - Apr. 2, our high school symphonic winds will be performing and touring). Maybe you can come and watch us if you're near Hamamatsu! :D I would be interested, but I'll PM you later when I finally decide to participate. I'm gonna have all sorts of stuff going on around that time, but I'll think about it. :)

I have other things to do than watch some random school marching band play. Also, Kevin Penkin is disqualified from this contest for not having read the rules.

Noir,

This is my piece of music I wish to present. Please enjoy it. I hope I can blow you away!

From Kevin

8339

Battle Pursuit is a piece for orchestra and solo flute. The piece contains a upbeat flow and features attractive and familiar motifs played throughout the lower string section. The flute melody weaves it way through the orchestral accompaniment, not overpowering the orchestra but not being overpowered itself.

The piece was inspired by Nobuo Uematsu's masterpiece "One Winged Angel" however unlike "One Winged Angel" there is a slower "B" section to the song, so the listener does not grow tired of the continuos mood. The B section is inspired by traditional Japanese music and is a reflection of my passion for the country. The climax of the "B" section represents the sunrise of Japan, as it very beautiful and I hope to experience it personally one day.

To finalize the piece, the music returns to it's original tempo and mood, creating a familiar and nostalgic finish.

This sounds like great fun! I hope its not an epic fail like the other contest, and more people participate .

So much happen when I am sleeping.

I agree with Noir's words, on this thread and the mediocre one, but this one is putting things more clear of what he is trying to communicate(and in a better mood I guess, =p). Anyway, I guess the price will motivate people to participate and to do the best they can. Otherwise, don't let the money desire to control you, let the desire of want to bring the best of your own creations!

Here is this site that shows the time zones, for those that may want to submit later, or are delayed by any reason and want to know what is the time in Japan:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

I'm up for it Noir ! Good luck everyone ! :)

Kevin, if I tell you that you are disqualified i expect to you cease uploading more entries. The first thing you did was to post 4 pieces of music, then i deleted those because they clearly weren't written for this competition, then an hour or so later you post another one.

EDIT: Sorry, I realize now that I actually forgot to put that in the rules; That you have to write a piece specifically for this contest and not post some old song, but I thought it was self-explanatory.

Anyway Kevin, if you wish to participate I expect you to write a new piece. You have over two months time to write composition of your life.

Question (srsly)... I'm kinda assuming arrangements are out of the question (as that's kinda in violation of Rule2), but what about pieces that quote previously composed music? For example, I know of a Charles Ives piece that quotes Beethoven's 5th symphony. Not so much rehashing an established work, but say using a motif/theme but making it "into your own"... is that permissable for this contest?

(Not that I've any intention of doing so... I've got my own ideas)


Oh and you might want to change "Price: $100" to "PRIZE: $100" as some may think a person has to pay to compete. :P

Question (srsly)... I'm kinda assuming arrangements are out of the question (as that's kinda in violation of Rule2), but what about pieces that quote previously composed music? For example, I know of a Charles Ives piece that quotes Beethoven's 5th symphony. Not so much rehashing an established work, but say using a motif/theme but making it "into your own"... is that permissable for this contest?

(Not that I've any intention of doing so... I've got my own ideas)


Oh and you might want to change "Price: $100" to "PRIZE: $100" as some may think a person has to pay to compete. :P

Not wanting to spam up the forums, or acting as a moderator of this competition, but I would put my money on being able to quote pieces. I've done that in a lot of my works, actually. It really isn't stealing (at all) if your taking a melody or harmonic figure which is used by somebody and using it in a creative way and very inconspicuous as well.

As for arrangements... that's all they are. Arrangements, not compositions.

Edited the 'prize', thank you.

Not really sure what you mean by quoting, but just go by this general fact: Me and a secret judge will independently review the compositions, and if they are well-composed then they will achieve a high score, if not, then not. Everything else is up to the composer. Technically there's no rule against plagiarizing here, but just don't expect to win.

Kevin, if I tell you that you are disqualified i expect to you cease uploading more entries. The first thing you did was to post 4 pieces of music, then i deleted those because they clearly weren't written for this competition, then an hour or so later you post another one.

EDIT: Sorry, I realize now that I actually forgot to put that in the rules; That you have to write a piece specifically for this contest and not post some old song, but I thought it was self-explanatory.

Anyway Kevin, if you wish to participate I expect you to write a new piece. You have over two months time to write composition of your life.

Alright. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I know what I have to do now.

I don't understand... How can you compose something honest, if you're only doing it for 100$? And, how is composing for money, beautiful?

Just yesterday I was flowing with ideas for a new song, and now this contest has turned into an opportunity to do it right.

Be prepared everyone! >:(

I'll take a try at this contest....don't know if I'll win, but it doesen't kill to try anyway. XD

Ganbatte =] I won't give any 100 dollars to a mediocre piece in lack of a better winner. However, I'm sure that there will be a winner here.

Also, the 100 dollars will be payed in YEN. From the posting date, 100 dollars was around 8500 YEN which will be the amount I will pay, regardless of the economic situation during payment. So, the 100 dollars isn't set in stone, as it can both lower and raise.

*wonders when some noob will complain how that is only 95.455 dollars instead of 100* XD (yay for the money converter on vista computers!)

where does that half cent come from? lol

*wonders when some noob will complain how that is only 95.455 dollars instead of 100* XD
I do too, lol. :P The one who does should stand for the difference in my opinion. Although to be fair if the Yen gets higher it would make the prize money even higher, wouldn't it?

I don't think the yen will get any higher though. :P My currency thingie says 8500 yen is almost exactly 95 dollars....

I thought the Yen wouldn't get higher 7 months ago when I moved here, now it has risen 48% against my home currency.

This sounds like a very interesting opportunity--I might try!

(Yes, I'm new to the forums, but I've been composing music and uploading it to Newgrounds for almost 3 years.)

So dare I ask, are we composing for Noir's ear? Or are we composing what we think sounds amazing?

Cause I'm doing something minimalistic and random (a little bit like a tone poem)... not really sonata material.

My "ear" won't have much to do with the outcome of this contest. I will, however, be extremely critical to the quality of the composition in terms of standards, execution and accuracy. The "ear" which will judge the flavour of the song is an anonymous person (on these boards). So basically, whether you compose an abstract tone poem or a melodic theme song it won't really matter to me. Although it might affect the other judge. You never know ;P

hmm im gettin inspiration to write a song how im thinkin on naming it boten hannah, i think you'll love it noir haha :P

If you even make the slightest connotation to Boten Anna I will disqualify you in an instant =)

I've only ever composed two songs, but I've really been itching to dust off my piano to blow the world away with my composing skills lately. The hundred dollars doesn't mean much to me monetarily, but it does make this contest feel like a contest, so that's great. It also helps that this is being hosted by Noir7, one of the most highly praised composers we have here. I'll gladly take your money, you precocious bastard! ;)

Heheh. Good luck, everyone!

could I enter and not want a prize should I win? (highly doubtful I would, but still....)

Actually no, winning and not accepting the prize will land your head on the guillotine.

Being a noob composer and all does the quality of the song matter. I think there are programs where you just right in the notes and it plays it back for you. I'm going to record mine with a cheap recorder so does quality matter? A decent recorder would cost most than the price money :( Also, my piano is not the best because it is a old digital. So is it okay if the quality is not the best? Also, if you know a program or something to improve the qaulity or make it digitally with a program please tell me. (It would be nice if the program was free.) Thanks!

Also, Noir could you undelete the posts by Kevin? I enjoyed the compositions and wouldn't mind hearding his other compositions. I think I should have just messaged him. Since this is off topic would this be against the rules? Just delete this post then if it is.

Kevin got banned because he stole old compositions posted here on Ichigos, claiming them as his own.

And well, quality is all relative... and as long as you're fully happy with it, it's fine by me.

Kevin got banned because he stole old compositions posted here on Ichigos, claiming them as his own.

And well, quality is all relative... and as long as you're fully happy with it, it's fine by me.


Wow! Stop a second. Kevin here.

Noir, for the 1,000th time. I didn't steal anything. Completely and utterly original! I composed that song a long, long time ago for flute and harpsichord and then made a orchestral version of it last year for a composition course I am doing.

I understand that they randomly appeared on your server because I hit the stop button half way through clicking the send button. But it is original. If you believe I stole it, please send me some evidence. But I will always say that this is my song. It is.

moonstaff324, thank you for liking my music.

Hold your horses, I didn't ban you or anything. M did, and I'm sick and tired of trying to talk to that dude so you'll have to complain to him, not to me. He told me he banned you for the aforementioned reasons, and I'm in no mood to bitch with him anymore.

Ok I get it, but I stand (and I'm sorry for the rudeness in the previous message) by what I said. I don't steal songs and I'm going to defend my name like that if you say I was banned for stealing someone else's music. I've mailed M. No response. Anyway I'm not going to fret about it, but I would still like to enter this competition if it's fine by you.

I hope it is.

Kevin

All this hub bub has got me thinking. In the rules it says...



2) The composition must be composed by one composer, who also has to be a member of this forum.

...but anyone is free to join the forums. Which means someone could enter that does not give back to the community just for this contest. Unless you are strictly saying a "member" is not the same as a "new member" the second part of this rule doesn't really work. See what I'm saying?

Basically it's just to put it out there that (even though it's quite obvious) the composition is to be written by a member here, and not someone else.

Actually no, winning and not accepting the prize will land your head on the guillotine.

does this mean that the winner must have a paypal account or something that can let you transfer the prize money to be part of this or he/she would be disqualified even if he/she won?

I'm a complete noob at even arranging music, but I'm all for the competition. This seems like a great way to improve in composing skills so I'm joining also ^.^

does this mean that the winner must have a paypal account or something that can let you transfer the prize money to be part of this or he/she would be disqualified even if he/she won?

Well, Noir said winning and not accepting will land your head on the guillotine. Winning and not accepting because you can't should not disqualify you. Although this is simply my input and the rules are completely under Noir's control so whatever he says. :sweat:

Look, I'm not gonna force the 100 dollars in your mouth if you really don't want it, but I will only send the money through PayPal since it's easy and cheap for those who actually want the prize.

:heh::heh::heh:

I never say no to free money, just that I dun got a credit card lol.

could I enter and not want a prize should I win? (highly doubtful I would, but still....)

Pfft, that's what I'm doing, join the club. :P

Edited the 'prize', thank you.

Not really sure what you mean by quoting, but just go by this general fact: Me and a secret judge will independently review the compositions, and if they are well-composed then they will achieve a high score, if not, then not. Everything else is up to the composer. Technically there's no rule against plagiarizing here, but just don't expect to win.

Does this mean that you will be scoring each compositions? If so, are the criterias purely subjective? Will we be receiving our scores for submitted compositions if they were made up to standard of being reviewed? You also mentioned that it is judged based on how much the composer fully utilized his/her talent. Is there a basis on which you will be judging this aspect on? does this not become more uncertain on newer members of the forum?

If you guys would spend as much time perfecting your music as you would asking questions here you'd surprise yourselves.

You shouldn't criticize people for asking questions about a competition you're holding. We have the right to have a full understanding of the competition. you should have expected a bash of questions when you started this. I actually read the entire thread and made sure u have not answered those questions already before I asked you...<_<

You have the right to ask questions but I don't have to answer them. Also, who said you have the right to have a full understanding of the competition?

Bwahahahahaha! I missed you, Noir7.

Edit:

Also, who said you have the right to have a full understanding of the competition?

And I could eat you with a spoon, death (~_^);

This is an awesome contest, I can't wait to hear all the entries!

^
||
||
Speaking of spoons...

Anyways, yes I know that I said that out of the blue and it was totally off topic. But it's true, without your relentless wit these forums are so boring.

Do we have to enter a score, or can it just be an MP3 file. If you can't enter just the MP3 can I just upload a ripped MIDI version as well to prove I don't just have the Mp3 file on it's own?

I can also upload the Logic 8 file as well if you wish. I can unload all the instruments (Unless you have Omnisphere and Vienna Special Edition) and add an MP3 file to the bottom. So you'll see the sequences and there will be synced audio, but no instruments will be loaded.

Is that ok?

Upload whatever you wish, it's your composition that's gonna be reviewed so you set your own standards.

Okiiie I have been very busy lately and haven't really noticed the load of PM in my mailbox, so I'll just write my reply here:

Thanks everyone for participating, post your piece either here in this thread, or privately send me a link (if you're worried about spreading it). After that, I want the written comment-sheet/description of the composition sent to me along with the actual piece.

Thanks!!

My Entry...

For description, please visit my personal thread.

I sent you a pm with my description as well Noir but it didn't let me attach the music with it.

Cool, an entry! :) I am debating myself if I will have a chance to enter. With all the stuffs that keep me busy makes it hard...

Would it be too late for me to submit a little something? I didn't really PM anything to Noir, but I did express interest in this a while back I think...

I wish I could submit "Spinning Waltz", but I do have an other little piece that I did make after the "Start" date for this contest.

Hmm, is it too late to enter yet? Spring Break has given me some free time and I'd love to participate. Since the rules focus on the technical aspects of the competition and leave the compositional aspects untouched, I think I'll be writing a 1-2 minute piano-solo piece. Full o' emotion, and such.

I have a question: Does we post the descriptions about the piece publicly or is it only private to send it to you Noir7? Or is it as we wish to do it?

It's up to you. And no, it's not too late to submit -- you have until the deadline.

Well... since the directions tell me to post the MP3 here... here goes nothin.


Here's my submission "Re: Morse". The beginning of a much larger work inspired, in part, by Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. Due to time restraints a just plain ol' bad luck this is all I could manage of the work within this contest's time frame.

A full description of the work will be PM'd to Noir shortly.



Description

My small submission to the contest is entitled "Re: Morse". It's the first segment of a much larger planned work influenced by three major components: Morse code;
minimalism;
Carl Orff's Carmina Burana
This submission, more-so the larger planned work, takes moments of Morse Code history and presents them in small almost independent viewings of musical experience.
This small opening segment is based off the Morse code text "SOS" (...---...). It is a minimalist tone poem bringing about emotions of swirling waters, life rafts bobbing up and down, and helplessness.

Wow, a lot of great stuff in here already - and probably more sent to Noir privately.

Anyhow, here is my entry, http://sebastianwolff.info/images/mp3.gif Capriccio #1: Adrenaline (http://sebastianwolff.info/download/Capriccio-no1-Adrenaline.mp3) ← Copyright Sebastian Wolff. Feel free to listen/redistribute, just don't make money off it, kthx.



Description
This is one of my craziest and free-form compositions, which resulted in its given title. I had a video game battle track in mind, which turned into a duel of pianos (with a violin thrown in between), which turned into a complicated mess of a 100+ measure free-form composition. I put aside meter, rhythm, voice-leading, and other standard composition techniques -- and the result is the intended enharmonic "battle" that you now hear.


Feedback / comments always welcome.
-Sebastian

Hi everyone!

Best of luck to everyone. you all have amazing skills!

Running Home. I was going to do orchestral, but the emotions I wanted to get across didn't work well with sections like percussion and brass. Not that it couldn't be properly orchestrated for the full orchestra, but I think it works better with strings and piano only.

I simply imagined a typical anime scene in my head. A female school student is late home. So just imagine her yelling "jaa ~ matta ne!" to her friends as she starts speeding towards home. She runs through streets and alleyways, dodging people on her way home. Finally, she arrives home, safe and sound.

I hope you enjoy it!!!

Kevin

8661

Fuuuu I need a bigger inbox =[ Anyway, keep 'em coming!

Nice. Some great competition!

Here's my 80's pop-ish ballad-ish song...

"Your Name"
Written by: W. C. Schleicher
Vocals: Steve Domeland
Guitar: Justin Giunto
Lyrics Based on Poems By: Sheelagh Lennon & Jessica Blade

http://www.zshare.net/audio/575539085391f8d2/

Please Enjoy! ^_^

If I may comment on Kevin's piece... Although you may not see how brass/percussion could be used in that piece, I can visualize a few parts that would benefit from brass swells or some ride cymbals. If I could I'd add onto it myself I'd try, but don't get me wrong I like how it came out as is. ^.^

Keep 'em coming guys. I was planning on starting the reviewing process right away after the deadline, but people are dragging me to Kyoto for a week so don't worry if I don't reply here for a while.

Wow Noir I havnt been on here in ages and I dont think i'll be entering but i gotta say this is very generous of you! ^_^ ... wow I miss this place

If I may comment on Kevin's piece... Although you may not see how brass/percussion could be used in that piece, I can visualize a few parts that would benefit from brass swells or some ride cymbals. If I could I'd add onto it myself I'd try, but don't get me wrong I like how it came out as is. ^.^

Hey BigZenigata, thanks for your feedback! I agree that the song could have the rest of the orchestra if I wished it, however I stand by the decision not to use them. The scene I imagined in my head would work well with full orchestra, but I guess (in addition to thinking that strings and piano only would work better) since I have recently composed a lot of full orchestra music, I needed a sort of break? haha. I guess I just felt more minimalistic on the instrumentation this time :)

Thank you so much, again, for your feedback. Good luck everyone!

"Raise up dreams", for solo Soprano with piano accompaniment (http://www.crumble-onuts.com/music/Raise_up_dreams_[live].mp3)
by Ian McDougal
lyrics based on the book Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

Performers for this recording are Andrea Decker (soprano) and Brandon Lee (piano).

About a month ago, Andrea came to me with the text from the book, telling me that I should set it to music. I read it, and was intrigued, and ended up writing the song in the next two days (then editing it up until last week). I ended up really liking the results.

The text is this:
The trees have inquisitive eyes, haven't they?
and the river says, "Why do you trouble me with your looks?"
and I see numbers of tomorrows, all in a line,
the first of them the biggest, and the others getting smaller as they stand further away,
but they all seem very fierce and cruel,
as if to say "I'm coming, I'm coming! Beware of me!"
But you sir, can raise up dreams with your music
and drive all such fancies away!

Good luck to everybody! I can't wait to listen to the entries this weekend.

EDIT: Oops, too busy to listen this weekend.

*slaps self on face*

Forgot all about this :think:

I'm in Shanghai so I'll leave this thread open for 2 more days when I get back home to Tokyo, and will then close this thread and begin the reviewing process.

This is my composition for the contest. I will upload later mp3 midi and a good (I hope) English description of it. :\

Description:
It's a nocturne in C#m, a purely lyrical and autobiographical piece, in which I used the Lied form (ABA'). The different three parts share some common infantile elements because the main intention was to evocate childhood memories. But memories soon disappear and the sadness of the present returns.

Notturno (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9TFT2EDK)

I did not have the enough time to finish my original entry(Busy as always -_-). So, I decided to create a short new one in the little time I had free today.

Tittle: Estrella

Description:
Estrella(Star) is a short piece in a waltz time. The piece starts with its first theme in C major with a "childish" inspiration. After this first theme the second theme comes in A minor; creating a contrast with the first theme. The oboe takes the melodic part then the bassoon enters in a third section in F major; connecting the second and first theme. The themes are repeated, then the piece start fading out slowly.

The piece was done in some hours. Sorry for that Noir7, I know you wanted people to do the best and to polish things. But is impossible for me to finish the original one in some hours. Plus I did want to enter at least something!

Anyway, Congratulation to all people that put their effort working! And very nice entries people! ^_^

Edit: Oh yes, if you speed it up. You will notice the "Childish" thing better.

Wow. First Kyoto, now Shanghai!? I'm very jealous you get to travel like that Noir!

Good luck everyone!!!

Closed! Thanks for the entries!

Now for the reviewing process. Stay tuned for the new thread, which will reveal the results as well as full reviews on the compositions.