ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission Competition FAQ Page:
I am a U.S. Citizen, but am currently enrolled in a degree program outside the United States. Can I still apply for the competition?
Yes, so long as you are also a student member of SEAMUS.
I am NOT a U.S. Citizen, but I am currently enrolled in a degree program within the United States. Can I still apply for the competition?
Yes, so long as you are also a student member of SEAMUS.
I am a student member of SEAMUS, but am NOT a U.S. Citizen, and am NOT enrolled in a degree program within the United States. Can I still apply for the competition?
No. You are still welcome to submit your works for consideration for the conference; however, the competition is only open to student members of SEAMUS who are U.S. Citizens and students who are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program within the United States.
Are scores required for electro-acoustic pieces involving acoustic performers?
Scores are not required, though student composers are encouraged to submit them when appropriate. Generally speaking, the more useful information one can provide the competition adjudicators, the better. All identifying information must be removed from the score, any submitted program notes, and audio file ID tags.
Can I submit an electro-acoustic piece involving video for consideration for the competition?
Yes and no – you may submit an mp3 of the audio component only, however we do not currently accept video submissions. As may be obvious, you must be the composer of any audio you submit.
I submitted my piece for the conference using the online-submission form. Do I need to resubmit my piece separately for the ASCAP/SEAMUS competition?
Yes. The submission procedures for the SEAMUS National Conference and for the ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission Competition are now completely distinct. You may thus submit the same work to each, or different works to each. While acceptance to the conference requires that the work be practical to perform at the conference, SEAMUS/ASCAP submissions have no such restrictions. In other words, submit your best piece.
I am a student eligible for the competition now, but will graduate in the fall. Can I still apply for the competition?
Yes. So long as you are a student during the application deadline, you are eligible for the competition.
I am an undergraduate student. Can I apply for the competition?
Yes. High school students may apply as well. Undergraduate and high school students who submit pieces to the ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission Competition are also automatically considered for the Allen Strange Award. This award recognizes an outstanding piece from an undergraduate or high school student.
How does the adjudication process work?
A panel of six ASCAP/SEAMUS judges is convened independently from the conference adjudicators. From the entire pool of entries, four finalists are selected and announced approximately one month prior to the conference. The SEAMUS board of directors then selects the winner and runner-up from among the four finalists. All entries remain anonymous throughout the process. The winner and runner-up are then announced to all at the conference.
Is there financial support for finalists?
Finalists have the conference and banquet fee waived. Financial support for travel and accommodations is not provided to competition finalists at this time.
Does SEAMUS provide performers for competition finalists?
We will certainly do our best, though it very much depends on the availability of performers.