Fountain City Music Competition
DEADLINE: January 25, 2021
The Fountain City Music Composition Festival is open to all students grades 3-12 in the De Soto School District #73.
How to Enter: A pdf score and an audio file must be submitted in Google Classroom under the composition assignment.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
The Fountain City Music Composition Festival is open to all students grades 3-12 in the De Soto School District #73.
How to Enter: A pdf score and an audio file must be submitted in Google Classroom under the composition assignment.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
- Compositions must be a minimum of 2 minutes.
- Compositions must be written for two or more instruments.
- Works may include non-interactive electroacoustic elements (e.g., CD playback). Works may have been performed before, but should not have been composed before the year 2017.
- The winning composer must agree to provide parts by February 1, 2019, in order to guarantee a performance of the winning work at the De Soto Solo and Ensemble Event.
- Attendance at the Festival is encouraged but not required.
- Students may submit no more than 3 pieces for consideration.
2020 Judges Bios
Judges Bios
Dr. John Prescott: Dr. John Prescott is a Professor of Music at Missouri State University where he teaches theory, composition, and commercial music. His works are published by Alfred Publications, Cimarron Press, Dorn Publications, Eighth-Note Press, the International Trombone Association Press, JPM Publications, Tezak Publications, TRN Publications, Warner Brothers, and Wingert-Jones Publications. His compositions include works for band, orchestra, chorus, solo and chamber works, and multi-media pieces, and have been performed nationally and internationally. Dr. Prescott holds degrees in music theory and composition from Florida State University and from the University of Kansas where he studied composition with John Pozdro and James Barnes. Dr. Prescott has been a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) since 1988, and has been the recipient of an ASCAP Standard Award every year since 1989. He is also a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
Ron Sikes: Mr. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District (Festus, Missouri) in 2000. His responsibilities include 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Jazz Band, High School Jazz/Salsa Band, and High School Band. His middle and high school bands consistently achieve superior ratings in all areas. In 2011 & 2015, The Jefferson High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. In addition to his many teaching responsibilities, Sikes maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, composer, percussionist, drum set artist, frottoirist, and jazz vibraphonist.
As a composer, Sikes has written music for concert bands, jazz bands, and professional bands. His compositions have been performed all over the country. In 2009, Ron authored and self-published the beginning band method book, “Keys to Success.”
As a performer, Ron performs with the Funky Butt Brass Band (drum set), Gumbohead (congas, timbales, frottoir), and Musica SLESA (bongo, guiro). He has performed all over the country and recorded over 20 CD’s with various artists from all genres.
Mr. Sikes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999 from University of MO-St. Louis. Ron has been influenced by some of the finest educators, including Mark Trautwein, Brad Madson, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. William Richardson, Marvin Sparks, Jeff Hamilton, Sally Herman, and Dennis Reis. In 2008, Ron Sikes completed his Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University.
Ron recently completed a two year term at MMEA Jazz Vice President. Prior to serving as MMEA Jazz Vice President, Ron has served as President, and High School Jazz Vice-president for East Central 7 district. . Ron Sikes’ professional affiliations include the MBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, MOJAE, MMEA, and MSTA, and remains active as performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area.
Joel Vanderheyden: Dr. Joel Vanderheyden is a versatile saxophonist, composer, and educator with tremendous passion for the unifying power of music. As a performer, he draws upon his study of jazz (M.M. with Chris Vadala) and classical saxophone (D.M.A. with Kenneth Tse), immersing himself in a variety of musical situations, ranging from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to the cinematic electro-jazz group, Koplant No. He is also a regular member of both the Jazz St. Louis Big Band and the Missouri Saxophone Quartet, and has performed on stages in the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Croatia, and across the United States, spanning large festivals, intimate jazz clubs, rock venues, live radio performances, and some of the world’s finest concert halls. Vanderheyden is the recipient of a grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, and his debut album of original compositions, Complete Life, was selected as one of the top albums of 2009 by KCCK Jazz 88.3FM. He has both performed with and written music for Strings of Arda, a chamber group from the St. Louis Symphony, and was named a quarterfinalist for the 2018 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Currently, Dr. Vanderheyden serves as Professor of Music and Director of Jazz at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO, and teaches Applied Saxophone at Washington University. He maintains an active schedule working with high school and college students across the country, and is a performing artist/clinician for D’Addario Woodwinds and Selmer Paris Saxophones.
Dr. John Prescott: Dr. John Prescott is a Professor of Music at Missouri State University where he teaches theory, composition, and commercial music. His works are published by Alfred Publications, Cimarron Press, Dorn Publications, Eighth-Note Press, the International Trombone Association Press, JPM Publications, Tezak Publications, TRN Publications, Warner Brothers, and Wingert-Jones Publications. His compositions include works for band, orchestra, chorus, solo and chamber works, and multi-media pieces, and have been performed nationally and internationally. Dr. Prescott holds degrees in music theory and composition from Florida State University and from the University of Kansas where he studied composition with John Pozdro and James Barnes. Dr. Prescott has been a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) since 1988, and has been the recipient of an ASCAP Standard Award every year since 1989. He is also a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
Ron Sikes: Mr. Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District (Festus, Missouri) in 2000. His responsibilities include 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Jazz Band, High School Jazz/Salsa Band, and High School Band. His middle and high school bands consistently achieve superior ratings in all areas. In 2011 & 2015, The Jefferson High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. In addition to his many teaching responsibilities, Sikes maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, composer, percussionist, drum set artist, frottoirist, and jazz vibraphonist.
As a composer, Sikes has written music for concert bands, jazz bands, and professional bands. His compositions have been performed all over the country. In 2009, Ron authored and self-published the beginning band method book, “Keys to Success.”
As a performer, Ron performs with the Funky Butt Brass Band (drum set), Gumbohead (congas, timbales, frottoir), and Musica SLESA (bongo, guiro). He has performed all over the country and recorded over 20 CD’s with various artists from all genres.
Mr. Sikes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999 from University of MO-St. Louis. Ron has been influenced by some of the finest educators, including Mark Trautwein, Brad Madson, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. William Richardson, Marvin Sparks, Jeff Hamilton, Sally Herman, and Dennis Reis. In 2008, Ron Sikes completed his Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University.
Ron recently completed a two year term at MMEA Jazz Vice President. Prior to serving as MMEA Jazz Vice President, Ron has served as President, and High School Jazz Vice-president for East Central 7 district. . Ron Sikes’ professional affiliations include the MBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, MOJAE, MMEA, and MSTA, and remains active as performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area.
Joel Vanderheyden: Dr. Joel Vanderheyden is a versatile saxophonist, composer, and educator with tremendous passion for the unifying power of music. As a performer, he draws upon his study of jazz (M.M. with Chris Vadala) and classical saxophone (D.M.A. with Kenneth Tse), immersing himself in a variety of musical situations, ranging from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to the cinematic electro-jazz group, Koplant No. He is also a regular member of both the Jazz St. Louis Big Band and the Missouri Saxophone Quartet, and has performed on stages in the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Croatia, and across the United States, spanning large festivals, intimate jazz clubs, rock venues, live radio performances, and some of the world’s finest concert halls. Vanderheyden is the recipient of a grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, and his debut album of original compositions, Complete Life, was selected as one of the top albums of 2009 by KCCK Jazz 88.3FM. He has both performed with and written music for Strings of Arda, a chamber group from the St. Louis Symphony, and was named a quarterfinalist for the 2018 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Currently, Dr. Vanderheyden serves as Professor of Music and Director of Jazz at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO, and teaches Applied Saxophone at Washington University. He maintains an active schedule working with high school and college students across the country, and is a performing artist/clinician for D’Addario Woodwinds and Selmer Paris Saxophones.
Past Winners and Judges
2020- Caleb Smith, Senior, with his piece entitled "Inspirations"
- Judges- Ron Sikes (Jefferson R7/ Funkybutt) , Joel Vanderheyden (Washington University/Jefferson College), John Prescott (Missouri State University)
- Judges-Mark Connor (Composer/Everything Band Podcast), Derek Limback (St. James), Greg Weis (University of Northern Colorado)
- Judges-Director of Instrumental Studies at Notre Dame College- Michael Krueger and University of Missouri St. Louis Music Theory Coordinator Dr. Zachary Cairns
