Congratulations to DAN MINER,
2024 Recipient of the Emily Crocker Emerging Composer Competition

 

TCDA would like to congratulate Dan Miner on the selection of his composition “Que es la vida” as the winning composition of the 4th annual Emily Crocker Emerging Composer Competition. Dan is the Head Choir Director at Travis High School in Fort Bend ISD in Richmond, Texas.  Dan's choirs consistently earn Sweepstakes awards at Texas UIL Concert and Sight Reading Competitions. He has also been honored to present two separate workshops at the TMEA annual convention.

Dan is also an aspiring composer and has had his compositions featured at various reading sessions across the country.  Several of his works have also been premiered by convention honor choirs including a premiere at the 2021 TCDA Convention and the 2024 SWACDA Convention in Denver, CO.

Additionally, he also serves as Organist/Music Associate at Clear Lake United Methodist Church and is a regular accompanist for many choral events in the Houston area.

From the adjudication committee, "...we really liked the combination of the classic literary text combined with a contemporary Latin groove.  Overall, it fits the target level (Middle School/Junior High) in terms of range and difficulty, although on the challenging side".

This piece will be premiered by the MS/JH All-State Choir on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

We would like to extend special thanks to Emily Crocker and Hal Leonard for their sponsorship of this competition, as well as Laura Farnell and Eradio Martinez for their service as adjudicators in this process.

This publication will soon be available on Hal Leonard’s website.

For more information on this competition, see the details below.

Purpose

The TCDA Emily Crocker Emerging Composer Competition is designed to encourage young composers of choral music for the middle school ensemble. 

Eligibility

Composers must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a current TCDA member (including out-of-state residents)
  • Must agree to relinquish publishing rights to Hal Leonard (with appropriate royalty contracts, etc).
  • Must submit a $25 application fee per submission.

Compositions should adhere to the following requirements:

  • Compositions should be suitable for performance by middle school (grades 7 & 8) Mixed, Treble, or Tenor-Bass ensembles with appropriate consideration given to vocal range, tessitura, and compositional complexity for this age group.
  • Voicing should be SATB, SSA, or TTB with limited or no divisi. 
  • Compositions must be original. Source material for arrangements should be limited to music within the public domain. 
  • Submissions should not have been previously published.
  • Text must be in the public domain unless the composer possesses written consent from the copyright holder to make use of the source material. 
  • Compositions may be accompanied or unaccompanied. Unaccompanied works should include a piano reduction in the score.
  • Compositions between two and four minutes in length will receive priority consideration.

Submission 

Scores should be submitted in pdf format with the composer’s name removed. Text with translation (if applicable) and proper permissions (if applicable) must be submitted with the score. A recording may be submitted but is not required.

Adjudication

Compositions will be evaluated by a committee and approved by the TCDA Board of Directors. The TCDA Board reserves the right not to name a winner if the adjudication panel does not recommend an entry for the award.

Prize

The winning composer will receive:

  • $750 cash prize.
  • Featured at the 2024 TCDA Convention.
  • One night of hotel accommodation in San Antonio to attend the premiere during the Summer Convention.
  • Opportunity for publication through Hal Leonard pending editorial and publisher approval.