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We are incredibly excited to announce that the Videri String Quartet is hosting a competition for string quartet arrangements of Video Game Music! With the difficulties the world has faced over the last few months with the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting quarantine or stay at home orders, the quartet searched for ways to keep chamber music, and our passion for video game music, alive and well. We also wanted to find a way to include the composition community as a whole. Naturally, this style of competition, with monetary prizes and the promise of a digital release, came to fruition. 

WHAT IS THIS COMPETITION?

The focus of this small competition is for composers and arrangers to create an up to 5 minute arrangement of a track from a game whose story is based around quarantines, viruses, pandemics, diseases, or the like. A digitally released album will be remotely recorded and released on all major platforms. The album will total approximately 40-50 minutes, depending on the number of submissions. Final track count is subject to the number, quality, and length of submissions. Judging and recording will be done by Videri String Quartet members.  Though this is not an all-inclusive list, possible games could include: The Last of Us; Resident Evil; Bloodborne; A Plague Tale: Innocence; Prototype 2; Days Gone; the list goes on! For the sake of clarity, the arrangement should include only traditional string quartet instrumentation: two violins, viola, and cello. 

 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

• Due to licensing restrictions, the final track must be under 5 minutes. Adjustments will be made as necessary to keep the track under that time restriction.

• Medleys will not be accepted (a medley consists of any two or more tracks, including tracks from the same game).

• The track must be licensable. This means that the original track must have been officially released in the United States. Be sure to check!

• The arrangement cannot have been previously recorded or released for sales or streaming. It can have been performed.

• Submissions must include digital copies of: 4 individual parts, 2 full scores (one with your name, one without), an accurate MIDI playback representation, and a document stating which game and the specific track(s) covered, and why you chose it! References for score formatting can be found on viderisq.com.

• Videri String Quartet retains exclusivity rights to the arrangement for 1 year after album release date. Videri String Quartet retains performance and recording rights indefinitely.

• The arrangement must be written for traditional string quartet (2 violins, viola, cello). No additional instruments will be allowed.

• Improvisation in the violin parts only is allowed for up to two phrases. Sample solos are not required in the playback, but if you give one, please render it as a separate track for recording purposes.

• Up to 3 submissions per applicant will be accepted. However, If the applicant submits multiple submissions, only one can be chosen for monetary reward.

 

WHAT ARE THE AWARDS?

• Up to 50 minutes of music will be recorded and released on a digital album. All arrangers who make it to the album receive 50% of royalties for their track. Remaining 50% is distributed to members of the quartet.

• All tracks will be licensed through Soundrop. You must have a (free) account to receive royalties.

• 1st Place receives an additional $200.

• 2 runner ups receive an additional $100 each.

 

HOW IS IT JUDGED?

• All submissions will be judged completely anonymously (why one score cannot contain a name)

• All judging will be carried out by members of the Videri String Quartet: Dr. Matheus Garcia Souza (violin), Eli Bishop (violin), and Jeremiah Barcus (cello). 

• Rosie Samter (viola) will not be judging as she is ensuring that all submissions remain anonymous. Please direct all questions regarding submissions to her at videri.quarentets@gmail.com. 

• First Round of judging will be judged with the unnamed score and submitted MIDI playback. Arrangements that pass to the second round of judging will be the arrangements chosen for the album.

• Second round of judging will be based on Videri String Quartet’s recording of the track. We will be looking for playability, musicality, and final overall sound of the track.

 

DATES

• July 1, 2020 - Submissions open

• August 1, 2020, 11:59pm EST - submissions close

• August 24, 2020 - 1st round winners announced

• October 15, 2020 - 1st place and runner up winners announced

• December 1, 2020 - Digital Album release

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HOW TO APPLY?

To apply, simply send all required materials to videri.quarentets@gmail.com before August 1st, 11:59 EST. Before sending, please check to make sure you have the following:

• 2 digital full scores: one with your name, one without 

• Digital copies of: 4 individual parts 

• An accurate MIDI playback representation of your arrangement 

• A document stating which game and the specific track(s) covered, and most importantly why you chose this particular track.

You may submit larger files via Google Drive or Dropbox. If you would like to submit files another way, please contact Rosie to set something up.

 

Anybody and everybody is eligible to submit an arrangement. Videri String Quartet will judge submissions without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran, or disability status. 

 

Any questions related to this project should be submitted to videri.quarentets@gmail.com.

 

Members of this Project:

Videri String Quartet: Matheus Garcia Souza, Eli Bishop, Rosie Samter, and Jeremiah Barcus

Album Art: Nate Horsfall (lightningarts.com)

Mixing & Mastering: Nathan Chandler