Asian Composers League: Guidelines

Guidelines

Guidelines for Organizing ACL Conference-Festivals

The Asian Composers League encourages exchanges and international events amongst members organizations. One such event within a calendar year shall be called The ACL Conference-Festival, at which the ACL General Assembly shall take place, and is thereafter called the Festival. The sole and full financial responsibility for the Festival shall be borne by the organizing member(s) with no liability on the ACL.
The Asian Composers League Conference-Festival is to be organized annually or biennially by an organization member of the League with the approval of the General Assembly.
Initial proposals to host the ACL Conference-Festival shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for consideration at least three months prior to the General Assembly held two years before the proposed Festival. Upon discussion with the organizer, the Executive Committee may recommend a full proposal to be presented for endorsement by the coming General Assembly.
The following events should be included in the Festival:

Each member country is invited to submit one work from a young composer of that country for performance during a special concert during the festival. The host country can specify requirements, such as forces and maximum duration. The host country should choose a jury of five members to vote on the winning piece. The ACL will provide cash prizes for the winners.

Composers from the host country under the age of 35 whose pieces are performed during the festival are automatically considered for the Irino Prize, a prize presented by honorary member Reiko Irino after the final piece has been performed. A five-member jury should be convened by the host country for the purposes of choosing the winner. The host country is responsible for providing a definitive list of eligible composers.

The host country should consider commissioning a new work from a composer who is a member of the host organisation. The ACL is unable to provide funding for this commission at this stage; however, the Executive Committee is willing to choose a commissionee from a shortlist of candidates provided by the host country, in the name of impartiality.

An initial full proposal should be submitted for consideration to the Executive Committee at their meeting prior to the General Assembly two calendar years before the event. In this proposal, the following information should (if possible) be included:

Place, date, scope, and the organizers of the Festival, and also particulars of any organizations or institutions with which the organizer is collaborating.
Financial arrangements of the Festival, including accommodation with meal(s), waiver of registration fee and concert admission for Executive Committee members, Honorary Members, chief delegates, and young composer representatives. Special financial consideration should be given for the subsidization of the travel costs of delegates who are financially disadvantaged.
Organization of the General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings (premises and administrative support, etc.)
Organization of Country Report sessions (premises, facilities, available media formats, requests for special requirements, etc.)
Submission of scores, including categories and instrumentation of works called for, deadlines, and notification of the final program at least one month prior before the event.
Recording and broadcasting of the Festival concerts — availability of recording of individual works of composers should be considered, together with details of costs involved.
Press coverage and publicity of the Festival.
Facilities for the exhibition and possible retail of relevant musical materials.
Other activities related to the Festival.

The General Assembly shall reach a decision on an application to host a Conference-Festival upon a motion by the Executive Committee.
It is strongly recommended that music selected for performance in the Festival shall be chosen from submissions by ACL members. While non-member submissions are welcome, they should not constitute a majority of the works performed in any Festival programme.
It is recommended that the festival program be enhanced with the inclusion of presentations of traditional music of countries in the ACL region, especially that of the host country.
Delivery of the Final Report is requested before the next festival. This should include the complete concert program, photos, country reports, lectures, seminars, etc.
Delivery of the official materials (published formats - CD's, posters, DM's and etc.) to the Asian Documentation Center located in Tokyo after the Festival.