Wai-te-ata Music Press

All scores will be added to the Wai-te-ata Music Press longlist, which is vetted by the Artistic Advistory Committee in October/November of each year to draw up a shortlist for publication. All works stay on the longlist, so composers need not resubmit the same work in subsequent years, unless the number of priority areas that a work meets has increased since the previous submission.

Submission to Wai-te-ata Music Press carries no expectation of publication. When submitting scores for perusal, we prefer electronic submission (PDF files in the first instance), but we also accept handwritten or hard-copy computer-set manuscripts.

All submissions must be accompanied by a submission form. NB: Hard-copy manuscripts will not be returned.

Contact details: The Editor, Wai-te-ata Music Press, NZSM, VUW, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140

Email: info@waiteatamusicpress.co.nz

Composer Selection Criteria

1. Composers must hold current NZ citizenship or have resided in NZ for the past 2 years.
2. Composers must be a Fully Represented composer with the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ); in exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be waived.

Work Selection Criteria

1. Compositions must not already be governed by an exclusivity clause with another publisher.
2. Compositions must be wholly original works. Arrangements may be considered only if the sophistication and original content of the arrangement satisfies the criteria below, and if the source work has been cleared of copyright.

Publication Priority Areas

Priority will be given to works that meet many of the following criteria:

1. have already received a public performance by a recognized, professional performer/ensemble
2. display a clear and demonstrable relationship to the notion of ‘research’ in the creative arts as articulated within a PBRF/TEC context, i.e. showing 'significant technical innovation and/or aesthetic refinement'
3. have received some kind of national or international recognition, such as an award/prize
4. have received consistent critical acclaim in mainstream media or other forms of peer esteem
5. have been through some kind of peer review process (e.g. selected for performance in an international festival)
6. have been recorded, or are scheduled to be recorded in the next 2 years, by a professional performer/ensemble on a commercial label
7. are between 4–10 minutes duration, although longer works of substantial cultural importance will also be considered
8. are for solo instrument or small ensemble (i.e. up to 6 instruments), although larger works of significant cultural importance and peer esteem will also be prioritized

Nominations for publication of works by deceased composers that meet the above priority areas are also welcomed. 

Process for Selection

1. The Editor and Advisory Board work together to draw up a list of all works for consideration, including those submitted to the Editor that satisfy the Guidelines for Selection.
2. In September/October of each year, The Editor and Advisory Board draw up a Shortlist of Recommendations for the following year’s publications.
3. The Editor draws up a Final Selection, and works out the costings for publication. The Final Budget is presented to the New Zealand School of Music Executive Committee for final approval/feedback in November/December of the preceding year.
4. The Editor reserves the right to respond to emerging possibilities and to change the Final Selection from time to time, subject to approval from the Director, NZSM.