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Gunther Schuller Centennial
Third Stream Composition Contest

 
The Gunther Schuller Society is pleased to announce the winner of the
Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream composition contest.
 
The winner is Celka Ojakangas for her piece “Sploopy”
 
"Thank you to the judges for picking my piece Sploopy to be the winner of the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition contest, and congratulations to all the composers who received Distinguished Mention! Gunther Schuller's cross-genre work frequently serves as an inspiration when I compose, so I'm honored that the judges saw this when
I submitted Sploopy. I'm very, very excited to see the piece be performed a second time and look forward to meeting everyone in the fall. Thanks again!"
Celka Ojakangas | https://www.celka.net/
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Garnering the designation Distinguished Mention are (in no particular order):
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Will Martin for “Interobject”
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“It is a distinct honor to be recognized by the Gunther Schuller Society for my piece, Interobject. While writing the piece,
I was inspired by the concept of “Third Stream” music that Gunther Schuller pioneered. Thus, it is extraordinarily
gratifying to be among the composers selected for this honor. I am grateful to the judges and the Gunther Schuller Society for this distinguished mention.”
Will Martin | https://willmartincomposer.com/
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Zach Rich for “June”
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“I'm so grateful to receive this tremendous honor from the Gunther Schuller Society! Schuller's contributions to contemporary American music bridging classical and jazz idioms continue to inspire me as an artist.”
Zach Rich | https://www.zachrichmusic.com/
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Mario Salvador for “Nuevo Montuno”
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“I’m deeply honored to be selected as one of the four finalists in the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream
Composition Contest. Schuller was a visionary who showed us the power of unifying musical aesthetics into a singular, universal language. I truly hope this contest continues in the future, we need more spaces that celebrate music
in a universal and inclusive way”
Mario Salvador | 
https://linktr.ee/mariosalvador3?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=006b9421-5ceb-4edb-a27a-4df65e38f35a​

Over 200 compositions were submitted from around the globe. Six renowned judges took three months to carefully deliberate over these works. The high quality of so many compositions made the task of determining a winner and distinguished mentionsa difficult one. The Society appreciates each of the composers for submitting their work and adding to the catalog of Third Stream music.

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Gunther Schuller (1925-2015) was a creative and progressive force in 20th & 21st century music, breaking down barriers between musical genres.  He created the musical concept of a “Third Stream” music, where streams of music from various cultural reservoirs would come together in unique compositions.

 

2025 is the centennial of Schuller’s birth, and The Gunther Schuller Society is sponsoring the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition Contest.  The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of $1200 (USD).  The ownership of the piece will reside with the composer.  The piece will be premiered at the New England Conservatory on the Schuller Centennial Celebration, autumn 2025.

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The following are the criteria that were required for submissions:

 

The composer must be between and ages of 18 and 35.

 

The piece must be:

  • For soloist or any sized ensemble

  • Of any length over five minutes

  • Attendance at rehearsals and performance is not required but would be welcomed. There are no travel funds available.

  • Works will be considered that 

    • are unpublished or self-published

    • have not received more than two public performances; and 

    • have not been the previous recipient of any prize open to the public. 

  • Written in the last five years.

  • The work must embrace Schuller’s Third Stream ideology and incorporate qualities from at least two music cultures or lineages, including but not limited to: compositional elements (rhythm, harmony, etc.), aesthetics, instrumentation. Possible sources of material include, but are not limited to:

    • Western Classical music (any sub- genre or style)

    • Jazz  (any sub-genre or style) 

    • Western new/experimental music 

    • Rock, Blues, Pop

    • Traditional music from around the globe 

 

Questions about the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition Contest?

Please contact charles.peltz@necmusic.edu

Gunther Schuller Society 

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