The aim of the annual Arts and Letters Competition, now in its forty-ninth year, is to stimulate creative talent in Newfoundland and Labrador by awarding prizes in several categories of creative endeavour and by exhibition or publication of meritorious entries where feasible. The winners of the 2001 competition were announced in a ceremony held in May.

At present, there is only one series of prizes ($600, $300 and $150) for musical composition in all genres for each division, Junior and Senior. To mark the fiftieth year of the competition in 2002, the Arts and Letters Committee plans to propose an extension of this category to award two series of prizes for musical composition and to increase the amount of prize money. It is the intention of the committee to seek input from musicians in the province about the extension of this category; as their music representative, I am looking for your opinions to bring to the committee.

Right now, all musical composition entries are in the same competition category. There is no separate category for "classical" composers, jazz composers, or popular songwriters; for those who write for orchestras, rock bands, choirs or opera singers. Do you think there should be more than one category for entrants? If there were to be two sets of prizes offered, how should they be categorized? Suggestions that have already been received include a division by "classical music"/ "popular music" or by "instrumental compositions" / "compositions with words".

Please give this matter your attention and send me your suggestions in writing. It would be wonderful to see more of you entering your work and to see the committee award six prizes, instead of three in both the Junior and Senior divisions.

You may reach me by e-mail at abest@nfld.com or by regular post at 28 Fleming Street, St. John's, NF, A1C 3A2.