Rich Douglas: ++++++++++++ (12) Chickenwarlord: ++ (2) Argitoth: ++++++++ (8) Hemophiliac: +++++++ (7) Luke Mathers: +++++++ (7) BravoSector: ++ (2) James Householder IV: ++++++++++ (10) Abadoss: ++++ (4) Prophet of Mephisto: +++++++ (7) ------- Abadoss ++ ------- Rich Douglas - I had some difficulty staying objective about your piece. First, out of all the pieces, yours was the most polished and best produced. You clearly have a talent and the means with which to use it. This piece is very beautiful. I really enjoyed it and, even if the playing field was level, this piece would get my vote. It's strong and emotive and well done. I only wish it were slightly longer. Chickenwarlord - There a lot to say about your arrangement skills. While I felt the piece was a little more active than I cared for, it was still fairly well done. I would love to hear what you could put together using some better samples. If you're able to, I would suggest purchasing an academic version of Finale - assuming you're in school - for about $300. I know that's a lot of money, but it's really worth it in the end. You can also pick up Garritan Personal Orchestra for about $199. It's an investment, but it would help a lot. Argitoth - I appreciated the soundscape you developed in your piece. I know I've said this before on a previous competition, but this reminded me of something like Ladyhawke or Blade Runner. Probably more the latter, as it was a slightly darker movie - and slightly more relevant to your description. However, I did feel that there could have been more added to it to give it a bit of an edge. The drums were a nice idea, but they didn't quite do enough. There's just something that's missing. Hemophiliac - I liked the regality that you gave your piece. Very reminiscent of the nationalistic music of some of the eastern European composers like Dvorak and the like. I like how you arranged this. What I felt wasn't working were the short like french horn staccato hits circa 0:35 and following. They just stood out a little too much. Other than that, it is a very strong piece. Very well done. Luke Mathers - I really liked your piece. There was a lot of personality in it. It's not overly complex and that works well for it. I think it spent a little too much time in the interludes, though. I did really like the trios and whatnot, but I think it made following the piece a little more difficult. BravoSector - It's really difficult for me to critique non-professional musicians. I'm certainly not the best, myself, but I am at a stage where I am more concerned about fixing what's wrong than I am about needing to hear what's right. For those who are not yet at that stage, I have to balance the harsh - intended to help you improve your skill - and the affirmative - intended to give you the confidence to continue on - in some sort of paradoxical nightmare. With that said, I think that you may have been able to pull off something a little stronger had you spent a little more time developing the idea. Granted, there was only two weeks and not everyone can compose entire oratorios in a single night. However, keep working at it. One thing I would suggest is recording the melody line beforehand and playing that through headphones as you record your voice. Secondly, use an electronic guitar tuner and then tune the guitar slightly sharp. When you record, it will help combat the detuning effects of recording. James Householder IV - I know that it's an attractive challenge to write for a specific ensemble - and one that shouldn't be avoided. However, when it comes to composing for a specific theme, it might cause a problem. This is simply because you've placed a limit on the colors and tools that you can use to try and fill in the idea in the minds of the listener. The arrangement is good, there's no doubt about that. I just think that it could be a little more filled out had you added some other instruments as well. Prophet of Mephisto - I liked how yours had an element of marching band in it. I could totally see a band march in formations across a field during some half time or whatnot. This is a very strong piece. I do like it a lot. First place: Rich Douglas Honorary mentions: Luke Mathers, Hemophiliac, James Householder IV, and the Prophet of Mephisto ------- Anonymous ++ ------- Rich Douglas - Well, your piece isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I felt moved by it, which is always a good thing. It's a nice piece, but I wasn't necessarily able to visualize a coronation scene. I also felt that your story was a bit too in depth, and maybe that your piece could do the talking instead. This is all just my personal opinion, though, and please don't take it personally. Very good job. James Householder IV - I feel that your composition best captured the feel of a coronation, through the choice of ensemble and style. I would've liked to see a bit more contrast in style, but that's just my opinion. In addition, I felt that you could've used more melodic material. Good job. First place: James Householder IV Honorary mention: Rich Douglas ------- Bundeslang ------- Rich Douglas - Beautiful beginning, I really get that 100 years ago feeling. The built-up from the song and all the sections are great. The voice is a bit too powerfull, but only a little. Chickenwarlord - Calm beginning, I like it. After a while I can't follow it and can't place the melody. Still, a good song. The end is weird as well. Argitoth - The balance between some samples in the intro isn't good and a bit irritating. After 0:50, it's better. That section is a bit too long, the 'light percussion' should come in earlier. I like the trumpets a lot. It looks like every section is better, I love the Acoustic Percussion. The last section is good, but a bit too long. Great song. Hemophiliac - The song has a good balance, the samples aren't too strong. The end is typical and not special. Luke Mathers - Little intro, nothing happens, it's a bit boring. The same for the middle. It's a well song, but not special. I like the part around 2:00, but the ending is a bit the same again. BravoSector - The intro is too simple, only the guitar. I don't like the voice from the song. The song misses variation. Sometimes there are little mistakes in the guitar playing. There's no real ending. James Householder IV - The fanfare, or whatever it is in the intro, is too strong. The part after it is calm, but building up nice to the middle part. That part misses variation. Abadoss - Attractive intro. The lead is too strong in it, it gets better after 0:40. I like the switch around 1:35, it's from strong too calm, done in a nice way. I like the built up after it. The ending is logical and almost the same as the intro. Prophet of Mephisto - I really get a hero feeling, like he is winning the battle, so your concept is good. But it's the only feeling, the song misses a bit variation. First place: Argitoth Honorary mentions: Abadoss, Hemophiliac, Rich Douglas, and the Prophet of Mephisto ------- BravoSector ++ ------- Rich Douglas - I was amazed by the professional quality in the song. I feel outclassed already. The vocals were awesome. Argitoth - Very very nice piece. I've listened to Godspeed you! Black Emperor and I liked your song better than most of their pieces. Ambient songs are very underrated. James Householder IV - Very well orchestrated fanfare. Prophet of Mephisto - I liked yours more than any other submitted fanfare. Very nice trumpet work. First place: Argitoth Honorary mentions: Rich Douglas, James Householder IV, and the Prophet of Mephisto ------- Chickenwarlord ++ ------- Rich Douglas - Nice female vocals. It certainly feels very soul-searching. The brass is a nice touch. I like the piece very much, but it doesn't strike me as fitting the theme. Argitoth - This piece felt like it had a very long intro, with not a lot of actual movement to the piece. A decidedly relaxed take on a coronation ceremony, and very unique. But it all feels very hollow. A nice piece for in the background listening, but there isn't a lot to stimulate the listener. Very few changes in volume or velocity levels. Hemophiliac - Very nice. Light and bouncy with just enough energy to keep the track flowing. No particular part stands out or strikes my memory. So while the feel is right, it needs something a little more lingering. Luke Mathers - I like the distinct changes in feeling this goes through. I can feel the story that your description tells with words in the music. It could have stood to move a bit faster in my opinion. BravoSector - Some parts of this the guitar sounds like it's trying to stray from it's good tuning. The voice is very hard to understand. James Householder IV - Beautiful opening. It really draws you in. Everything else here is solid. That recurring theme is well implemented. Abadoss - This is very dark and heavy, without a lot of building. All the building up just drops away into this little violin section. I think that transition could have been a little more smooth. The violin going into the builds is good. The end is slightly disappointing, as it feels like it should keep on going. Prophet of Mephisto - There is so much to love about this piece. A good energy being driven by the background. Amazing job on making everything fall together so well. Those bells could be brought out a little more at places. A little more variation in the themes would have been good too. First place: The Prophet of Mephisto Honorary mentions: James Householder IV and Luke Mathers ------- Hemophiliac ++ ------- First place: Rich Douglas ------- Euler ------- First place: Luke Mathers Honorary mentions: James Householder IV ------- Nicholas ------- First place: Hemophiliac ------- Rolifer ------- First place: James Householder IV Honorary mentions: Abadoss and the Prophet of Mephisto ------- Argitoth ++ ------- Rich Douglas - I thought your piece was quite epic. This is what I thought the competition was looking for. First place: Rich Douglas