| NZSO/SOUNZ/RNZ CONCERT CALL FOR SCORES:
Submissions of scores for the 2013 Recordings sessions are due in this office by Friday 28 September 2012. Please click here for the entry form with more details. The jury will meet during October, and the selected works will be announced by 2 November. Scores and parts will be due with the NZSO and SOUNZ by 30 November. This will be the only call for scores for the two 2013 sessions, and I anticipate this mid-year call with submissions due at the end of September will be a regular part of the process. Although we don’t yet have the dates for the 2013 sessions, these dates allow us to get all the material to the NZSO well in advance, as required under our agreement. 2012 sessions:
Last week we completed the first Recordings session for 2012 – five exciting and very different works by Samuel Holloway, Natalie Hunt, Louise Webster, Leonie Holmes and Michael Vinten were performed and recorded by the NZSO and RNZ Concert to their usual standards of excellence. I’m really looking forward to featuring the recordings onto SOUNZ Online, and connecting them up with conductors, artistic planners and broadcasters. In November, works by Michael Norris, Kenneth Young and Andrew Perkins will be recorded. Hire sets:
Now that we are in a position to promote the works from the Recordings sessions, we want to make sure we can supply hire parts to interested orchestras. So we now ask that you supply us with a set of parts at the same time as you deliver a set to the NZSO. The NZSO retain the parts for future performances, but are unable to hire them out. SOUNZ SURVEY
Thanks to all of you who completed our survey earlier this year. Out of a database of 5,000+ we received over 1100 responses, representing a very high response rate - in itself really pleasing. Here are a few key responses:
- 28% of respondents described themselves as composers, and 44% as performers. There was a strong showing of teachers at 41%. (Respondents could tick more than one box.)
- It was clear that respondents want SOUNZ to perform two core functions:
To be an accessible music information centre
To be the champion for New Zealand music
- Most people think that we currently exist to primarily serve composers, but that we should exist to also serve - well, basically everyone - performers, artistic directors, music teachers and students and the public.
- We should be encouraging the performance of New Zealand music, and should ensure that New Zealand music is accessible: 74% of all respondents strongly agreed that we should provide music for people to use – ie experience, perform and share.
- 64% of composer respondents thought that we should include original NZ jazz in the collection, and 66% thought we should include Maori music (taonga pūoro and mōteatea)
- Respondents considered that easy searchability was the most important feature of SOUNZ Online. There is much potential for us to increase engagement here.
- Respondents thought that we should create a stronger brand image, and make sure that people know we exist. Collaboration with other organisations featured strongly as a recommendation.
Not only did the survey provide insights that are contributing to current planning and funding applications, but also a valuable benchmark. In two years time, when we repeat the exercise, I hope we’ll be able to report some distinct achievements reflected in the responses from our participants.
If you’d like more specific information about the survey, please let me know.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COLLECTIONS POLICY
We have made some amendments to the composer guidelines and are putting together a new collections policy, which will guide the quality, diversity and usefulness of the SOUNZ collection. When this is finalised I’ll be sending a special update that will fully explain the new criteria and the implications of the policy for you as a composer.
2011 COMMISSION PAYMENTS
We are in the process of paying out commissions for scores purchased last year. If you aren’t due for a commission we won’t be contacting you, but if you’d like an update, please don’t hesitate to ask. Email Claire – admin@sounz.org.nz for this information.
NEW MUSIC WANTED FOR VIDEO PROJECT
Photographer Joe Michael is looking for composers interested in working with him on a video project that he’s preparing for exhibition(s) next year. He’s making twelve 3 – 4 minute time-lapse videos of spectacular NZ scenery and looking for a range of music to accompany them. Check out the film page on his website (http://joemichael.net ) , and get in touch with him directly if you’re interested: joemichael@gmx.com
CANZ MEETING IN AUGUST
The CANZ committee will be meeting in our office on 18 and 19 August, and I will be joining the meeting for some of this time. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any ideas specific to our two organisations that you'd like discussed.
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