The Ministry of Culture announces the National Music Awards 2012

The Ministry of Culture announces the National Music Awards 2012
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, January 13, 2013

The Ministry of Culture has announced the National Music Awards 2012, whose objective is to promotethe creation of music in the country.The categories are classical and popular music.The awards include a cash prize of 250,000 pesos, a diploma and the dissemination of the winning entry for one year.

The subject and the form are free, and the genres are: Symphonic, Choral and Chamber in Classical Music; Pop Ballad / Jazz, Folk and Dance in Popular Music

The rulesof the contest were released by the Ministry through the department of communications and audiovisualmedia. The first article of the rules states that the awards will recognize songwriters who create aunpublished musical works, which represent an outstanding and innovative contribution. The contest is open to Dominican born or naturalized composers, either living in the country or abroad. Foreign composers living in the country for over ten years may also participate.

The subject and the form are free, and the genres are: Symphonic, Choral and Chamber in Classical Music; Pop Ballad / Jazz, Folk and Dance in Popular Music.

In the genre Academic Music, Symphonic-Choral format: Orchestra Music, with or without soloist, and Choral Music, with or without orchestra; Chamber Music format: Group of Songs, with piano accompaniment, and music for duo, trio or quartet and up to nonet, in different instrumental combinations. In the Symphonic Bands or ConcertBands format:musical compositions for wind and percussion instruments,for bands of up to 60 musicians.

In popular music: a-Music for Dancing; b-JazzMusic; c- PopMusic / Rock Music; d-Music for Kids; and e-Folk Music.

The jury will be selected by the Ministry of Culture and it will choose the winners for each genre. The three personalities who make up the jury must be recognized for their work in the corresponding categories. Those interested in participating may download the bases of the contest from the web page www.cultura.gob.do.

The winning entries remain the property of the authors, but the Ministry of Culture will have the right to present them in concert, as well as to make any type of recording for dissemination purposes. The decisions on the winning entries will be announced in May of this year, while the prize-giving ceremony will take place in May or June of this year.

The announcement of the National Music Awardswas made by José Antonio Rodríguez, Minister of Culture; Carlos Salcedo, Director of the Minister’s Office; Mirtha Olivares, Coordinator of the Vice Ministry of Creativity and Popular Participation; Luis O. Brea Franco, Coordinator of the Vice Ministry of Cultural Heritage; and Carlos Santos, Coordinator of the Vice Ministry of Institutional Development.