ZING is a new Solo Hammer Dulcimer Composition Contest hosted by Matthew Coley.  Matthew hopes to bring more awareness to the capabilities of the hammer dulcimer as a serious contemporary music instrument through ZING.  Please read below for information on the competition, or click here to read and learn more about the hammer dulcimer and its place in the zither family.

ZING Solo Hammer Dulcimer Composition Competition 2009

Rules of ZING (ZING Rules and Application Form attached here.pdf):

1. 1.Open to all composers regardless of age or nationality who have completed at least a Bachelors of Music degree (4 years or equivalent) from an accredited school of music.
   

2. 2.Submission deadline is November 1, 2009, postmarked.  Late submissions will not be accepted.
   

3. 3.Application must contain all materials.
   

4. 4.Scores should be submitted as PDF files on a CD.
   

5. 5.All winning composers must agree to compose a new work of 6-10 minutes in length for solo hammer dulcimer (range: fully chromatic 3-octaves and a major second above D middle line bass clef) to be premiered by Matthew Coley.  Composers will work closely with Matthew to establish a clear understanding of the capabilities of the hammer dulcimer.  New works can include a small amount of other percussion instruments and/or pre-recorded electronics.  If the composer chooses to include other percussion, it must fit around the dulcimer and be reachable and manageable by the performer from the seated position behind the dulcimer.  See video below.
   

6. All decisions are final and ZING has the right not to award first place.

Applications for ZING must include:

1. 1.A CD with PDF files of 2 scores of your existing compositional work; 1 solo composition for any instrument and 1 chamber composition for any combination of instruments.  (See item 4 in the Rules Section) (It is not necessary to compose a dulcimer work for submission, or to submit a work already written for dulcimer.  Submit what you feel is your best work and the quality of the work will be the deciding factor.  The jury will be looking for composers who they feel would bring a unique voice to the hammer dulcimer as a solo contemporary instrument.)
   

2. A CD recording of the above works.

3. 3.$20 application fee (Check made out to Matthew Coley, ZING in memo line)
   

4. 4.Application Form (ZING Rules and Application Form attached here.pdf)
   

5. 5.Biography
   

6. 6. SASE, if materials are to be returned
   

Mail application to:

Matthew Coley (ZING Competition)

5800 N. Winthrop #1

Chicago, IL 60660

Submitted works will be adjudicated by the following jury:

Bjorn Berkhout; composer, DM Northwestern University, Sonic Inertia

Cory Hills; percussion and Con/un/drum (Solo Multiple Percussion Composition Competition)

Russ Rolen; cello, DM Northwestern University, Sonic Inertia

Gerard Morris; conductor, DM Northwestern University, Sonic Inertia

Lee Hyla; composer, Faculty Northwestern University

Matthew Coley

Winners of ZING:

1. 1.2-3 composers will be chosen as winners (depending on number of submissions).
   

2. 2.First place receives $250, second place receives $175, and possible third place winner would receive $100.
   

3. 3.All winners will be asked to compose a 6-10 minute solo piece for hammer dulcimer (pre-recorded electronics can be included and are encouraged and other small percussion [ie. various drums, cymbals, and auxiliary instruments] can be included), and prizes will be distributed upon receiving the new work.  (See item 5 in the Rules Section)
   

4. A premiere, publication, and professional recording will be planned for the new works.

Please contact Matthew with any questions.

Below are recordings of chamber works for hammer dulcimer:

Click here to hear Glitz! by Bjorn Berkhout

(Dulcimer, Marimba, Vibraphone/Glockenspiel)

Click here for a video of Glitz!

Click here to hear Amnesia Variance by Lee Hyla

(Dulcimer, Violin, Viola, Cello, Clarinet, Piano) or Up Hill by Bjorn Berkhout

(Dulcimer, Vibraphone/Percussion, Baritone-voice, Piano)