Today, the first ever McLeodGaming Orchestration Contest finally begins! This contest will focus on combining both orchestration and compositional skills to create your own original work. I will provide a short melody for you to orchestrate around. So basically you will be expanding on this melody in your own piece. The details of the contest are as follows:
-You must include the melody I provide somewhere within your piece. It does not have to be in a specific location, but the melody must be played at least once somewhere within the music with the rhythm and notes untouched. So you can have the melody anywhere in your song and repeat it as many times as you like, however it must be played note for note somewhere before you can use a modified version of the melody. You may also move the melody up or by octaves if it is not at the pitch you want. But please make sure to use the original melody in its original key at least once. The rest of the piece is up to you! You may even modulate to other key signatures if you want.
-The piece must be entirely your own work. No samples of other people’s work besides the provided theme may be used. If you include any audio that you didn’t create yourself you will be automatically disqualified from placing in the contest. This goes for pre-made melodic loops as well; if I hear a piece with premade loops mixed into it then the piece is no longer considered entirely your work, therefore you will be disqualified. Percussion loops are acceptable as long as they are not overused under my discretion.
-You can write in any style you want, you are not restricted to a particular genre of music. So be creative!
-Use any chord progressions you’d like; I will not be providing any so it is all up to you how you want your piece to sound!
-Your piece must NOT exceed 5 minutes! Just a second longer and you will be disqualified.
-You may use whatever tempo you would like. You may also use more than one time signature (meter) in your piece as well if you want to.
-Use any music software you want for your instrumentation, or record yourself playing an accoustic instrument if you have the capability.
-You may only submit ONE piece
The entries will be judged on various categories, such as originality, creativity, and the overall listening experience. I’ve also personally appointed several judges to help make sure each piece is compared fairly and thoroughly. The prizes will be as follows:
1st Place: $100 Gift Card to the MG Zazzle Store + I will personally re-master your piece myself if you would like
2nd Place: $50 MG Store Gift Card
3rd Place: $25 MG Store Gift Card
You must send me your entry as an MP3 via e-mail, PM, or by posting it here if you want.
All entries will be due by February 28th, 2010.
As long as you submit it before 11:59pm (GMT-5) on February 28th, your submission will be valid. If I see a March 1st timestamp on your entry I will not accept it.
Here are the files you’ll need for reference:
MP3 File (This is just for you to listen, you don’t need to use the MP3 in your piece, nor must you use piano for that matter)
MIDI FIle (You don’t have to use the MIDI file if you don’t want to but it’s there to help. Just make sure you notate the melody correctly!)
If you have any questions feel free to contact me. So have fun with this guys, I’m looking forward to hearing your work!
Useful Links:
http://www.notation.com/DownloadNotationPlayer.htm (Can import MIDI files to see the notation)
On Monday, February 1st, I will be kicking off the first official McLeodGaming contest! The contest for the month will be creating Music, so those of you who write will want to get yourself warmed up for this one! For this contest I will be writing a short melody for you to expand on. Prizes, rules, and further contest details we be announced on February 1st.
Stay tuned! 😉
I’ve added several new items to the Shop mainly featuring the new fist symbol by itself:
In addition to adding this symbol to the old products, I’ve also created hoodies, long sleeve shirts, and ringer t-shirts featuring all 3 logos made so far. (All mentioned products should be available within the next 24 hours)
More to come soon!
In case you haven’t noticed it yet, the SSF2 Dojo is back from the dead!! 😀 It appears that the new languages aren’t available yet, but at least you can finally look at the place again. 🙄
Anyway, once again stay tuned for more updates!
Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for! I’ve decided to kick off the New Year showcasing my logo designed by one of my friends at college, it really packs a punch!!
Notice it yet? The “M” is a fist!! And a new logo calls for a new intro. It seemed like I was always using a different intro in all my past works, and they were all pretty bland. With this new logo we can get a bit more creative…
(Must have latest version of Flash Player installed to see the image below)
[flash width=550 height=400 loop=true:dc0baad64a]https://www.mcleodgaming.com/flash/other/BasicIntro.swf[/flash:dc0baad64a]
Neat huh? 😛
Up next I would like to introduce the new McLeodGaming Online Store!! Do you see the new green “Shop” link at the top of the page? Clicking that will take you to my shop page, allowing you to browse my store for various MG merchandise featuring the new logo. Throughout the year I will be updating my shop with new material featuring original MG characters, so be sure to check my home page for any updates! (I may even consider selling some music soon as well, I’ll let you know if I decide to start working on a CD! 😉 )
But wait there’s more!
This year I want to start hosting contests on the site. But not just any kind of contests, I’m talking about contests with big prizes! (Win Free Games, Shirts, etc.) I have opened up a topic in the Suggestions section of the forums to discuss possible contests ideas, so be sure to participate in it so I get can get an idea on the kind of things you guys would be interested in doing.
Now, on to SSF2 related stuff. I can’t say that the full game will finally be finished any time soon, however I think it’s really important that this project picks up the pace so I can work on other projects to help keep the site fresh. No doubt most of you have noticed my signature on the forums hasn’t changed in forever, so I think that’s a sign we need to get moving! :sweatdrop: Anyway, so I’ll be continuing work on v0.6 during my break, which will last another few weeks. I still can’t give a good estimate on how much longer it will take to complete this demo, but I will make an announcement when it’s approaching so you guys aren’t left with nothing until the release. But once v0.6 is done, I have plans to dramatically increase the production of this game, so just hang in there a little while longer!