Due to covid-19 restrictions the Conlon Disklavier Plus Competition 2020 was postponed. We are happy to announce the call again in a revised version. 

Conlon Foundation's Disklavier Plus Competition 2021 Installation;Environment

A competition for a multimedia installation with a central role for Conlon's MIDIcontrolled Yamaha Enspire Disklavier. The prize for the winning submission is a presentation/concert/exhibition presented by the Gaudeamus Foundation in their 2021-2022 season in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

'Since the introduction of digital technology, sound art has undergone a radical transforma- tion. Artists can now create visual images in response to sounds, allow the audience to control the art through pressure pads, sensors and voice activation, and in examples like Jem Finer’s 'Longplayer', extend a sound so that it resonates for a thousand years. Environments are an alternative term for installation art; environments are mixed-media constructions or assemblages usually designed for a specific place and for a temporary period of time.' -TATE MODERN, London

 

Installation/Environment options and guidelines:

__Submissions can be existing works or a detailed plan and concept for a new to be realized work. The form of the installation;environment may be ongoing, a loop, with/without interactivity with the public.

__A live performer/other instrument may be part of the work, however, the costs entailed are the responsibility of the applicant(s).

__The work may include combinations of music/sound, visual, tactile and interactive media, and should have a central role for Conlon's MIDI-triggered Enspire Disklavier.

__If the submission is an existing work, it should be adjustable to the available venue.

__One or more artist/composers may apply.

__ The work will be programmed in collaboration with Conlon and Gaudeamus and the winner(s) will also be expected to present their work to the public in a demonstration and/or workshop for young composers. Therefore, they will be required to be present for the duration of the event.

__Gaudeamus will provide technical assistance and support and accommodation for 3 days. However, Gaudeamus cannot provide travel costs, nor a fee.

 

Reference Links:

Senses_Working_Overtime.2019

'Multitudes' Andreas Greiner and Tyler Friedman

'Multitudes' (winner, Conlon Music Prize Disklavier Plus 2015) An audiovisual installation in two movements that straddles the fields of biology, digitality and sculpture.

Rebecca Horn_'Concert-for-anarchy'

 

The jury will consist of a panel of experts in the field of electro-acoustic new music and installation art and will judge the submissions for the prize on originality, musicality, interactivity and performance feasibility. One work will be selected as the winner. The decision of the jury will be made public no later than May 1, 2021. The Conlon and Gaudeamus Foundations reserve the right not to select a winning piece.

 

Submission Guidelines:

• The competition is open to composers and (sound)artists of all ages and nationalities.

• The existing works may have been presented and/performed, but must have been conceived after 2015.

• The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2021.

• A detailed description of the work (or a preview of the artist's plans) with clear indications for the use of the Disklavier and the use of multimedia, electronics, visual and interactive elements, alternative controllers or other important details for the performance of the piece, as well as all technical requirements.

• Motivating choices taken to transform the experience of the the viewer should be included in the submission, and why the artist(s) feel their work is suitable for inclusion in in the Gaudeamus concert season 2021-2022.

• A preview of the work, if possible. In the case of an existing work, please include thorough documentation.

• A short biography of the composer(s)/artist(s) with links to three works from the last 5 years.

• Submissions can only be done by sending an email to info@conlon.nl.

• All documents should be in pdf format.

• All files should be either attached to the e-mail (if less than 20 MB) or downloadable/streamable through a link to a website where the file remains available until May 1st, 2021.

 

There is a €20 submission fee.

For the payment of € 20,- registration fee please transfer the amount via Paypal to info@conlon.nl or via bank account:

 

RABOBANK, Beethovenstraat 31-33, Utrecht

IBAN: NL04RABO0159572258 BIC: RABONL2U

Account nr. 159572258 of:

Stichting Gaudeamus Muziekweek

Loevenhoutsedijk 301

3552 XE Utrecht, The Netherlands

 

If for any reason, the registration fee is an obstacle that is preventing you from partaking in this call, please contact us via info@conlon.nl and we will see how we can accommodate you.

For more information contact Stichting Conlon: info@conlon.nl

For more information on the 2021 prize: www.conlon.nl

 

Download pdf

 

Uncaged::Conlon Robot Keyboard Prize 2017

In 2017, for the first time, the UnCaged Toy Piano (US) and Conlon Foundation (NL)  will collaborate on a joint call for submissions for the 2017 Robot Keyboard Prize. For this year’s competition, we are seeking adventurous new works for Ranjit Bhatnagar's midi-controlled Robot Toy Piano. Innovative ways of integrating electronics are encouraged, but not mandatory.

The prize for 1st place is a performance in the Gaudeamus Muziekweek (Utrecht, Holland) in September 2017 and the UnCaged Toy Piano Festival (New York City, December 2017), plus $1000 of which $500 from the UnCaged Toy Piano and $500 from Conlon Foundation towards travel/accommodation costs, to enable the prize winner to attend the performance in Utrecht, NL. The prize for Honorable Mention is a performance in the Gaudeamus Muziekweek (Utrecht, Holland) in September 2017 and the UnCaged Toy Piano Festival (New York City, December 2017).

 

Guidelines for the competition:

1. The competition is open to composers and sound artists of all ages and nationalities.

2. Works must be written for the Robot Toy Piano as a concert work (not installations).

3. Works may include one live performer on a conventional or unconventional instrument (i.e. orchestral, homemade, or mechanized instrument)

4. The duration of the piece may be no longer than 15 minutes. 

 

The deadline for submissions is May 1st, 2017 and should include:

1. A short bio of the composer in pdf.

2. A score/information sheet with a detailed description of the work in pdf.

3. A downloadable audio and/or video preview of the work in .mp3 or .avi. or a link to a website where the file remains available until June 1st, 2017                                         

The decision of the jury will be made public no later than June 1st, 2017

 

Built by New York-based sound artist, Ranjit Bhatnagar, the robot toy piano is a redesigned player toy piano (PianoLodeon) that reads midi files. 

1. The RTP has no keyboard, and can be exclusively played through midi-in data on the tines. The tines could be played or dampened by hand with mallets or other implements, however, extreme care has to be taken not to damage the fragile plastic hammers and the electronics.

2. The Dynamic range of the instrument is fixed - in other words, on/off at a midi velocity of 127/0.

3. Repetition rate: At 120bpm (=120) the fastest allowable repetition on a single pitch would be 16th notes, or 8 note-ons per second. 


If the overall temp is faster than 120, the repetition should be reduced accordingly. In order to give the mechanical hammers time to reset between note-ons, there should be a rest of at least 1/16th second between notes, corresponding to a 32nd rest at a tempo of 120. If your temp is much faster than 120, use 16th rests or longer.

4. The RTP has no dampers, similar to most toy piano’s.  As this instrument has one velocity, there is one attack/sustain value. which can can be heard in the video. This volume and sustain parameters are commensurate with ‘ff’ on most toy piano's.

5. The functioning midi range is: midi numbers 36-64, pitch names [C-3 to E-5]. The pitches sound a Major Third below the corresponding pitch names/midi numbers.

6. The robot toy piano can play off either a USB or traditional MIDI cable. Due to the delicate and homemade nature of the instrument, it is best not to ask the robot to fire more than eight notes simultaneously.

 

 

Submissions and inquiries should be sent to:  uncagedconlon2017@gmail.com