composition
composition categories
Free composition
The composer is free to express their ideas in whichever genre/instrumentation they choose.
Upper School (Year 10 to Year 13)
Lower School (Year 6 to Year 9)
film composition
A composition reflecting the action and drama in this short film clip.
Upper School (Year 10 to Year 13)
Lower School (Year 6 to Year 9)
electronic music
An experimental piece in any electronic music genre: EDM, soundscape, electroacoustic, etc.
Upper School (Year 10 to Year 13)
Lower School (Year 6 to Year 9)
song writing
An original composition setting text to music in a contemporary genre.
Upper School (Year 10 to Year 13)
Lower School (Year 6 to Year 9)
Awards
In addition to an award for each of the composition categories outlined above there will be an award for the 2024 Young Composer of the Year.
Sarah from Dubai English Speaking College was the deserving winner of this award in the COBIS Music Fesival 2023.
submission
Students have until 15th December 2023 to submit their compositions.
Submissions will include an audio and/or visual (if submitting a film composition) component (mp4/mp3) in addition to a score/lead sheet/annotation/performance guide (PDF). Submissions should be no longer than 4 minutes in length.
Each student may submit one original composition for the 2024 COBIS Music Festival.
HINTS & Tips
Here are some useful pointers which can help you as you begin the creative process:
The composition has form—not ‘a form’ but form—and reflects a proper balance between repetition and contrast.
The composition reflects shape and design, and creates the impression of conscious choice and judicious arrangement on the part of the composer.
The composition reflects craftsmanship in working with timbre.
The composition is sufficiently unpredictable to preclude an immediate grasp of its musical meaning.
The route through which the composition travels in initiating its musical tendencies and probable musical goals is not completely direct and obvious.
The composition is consistent in its quality throughout its length and in its various sections.
The composition is consistent in its style, reflecting a complete grasp of technical details, clearly conceived ideas, and avoids lapses into trivial, futile, or unsuitable passages.
The composition reflects ingenuity in its development, given the stylistic context in which it exists.
For the film composition category, embed the clip into Logic/Cubase and compose with a click track. Bounce the clip down to an mp4 (or equivalent) when complete.