The 1st International Composition Competition for Flute Ensembles is open to composers of any age and nationality, with the aim of stimulating, promoting and enhancing musical creativity for these particular ensembles. All entries received will be assessed by a jury comprising three renowned musicians, who will give their opinion to determine a shortlist of three winners. The three winners will have their work premiered at Trieste Flute Day, December 7, 2026 in Trieste, Italy. There will be no joint winners, and up to a maximum of three further competitors may be named ‘with special distinction.’ The application fee is 50 euros, which will go towards the jury fee and the final three prizes, if needed.

The jury, comprising internationally renowned musical figures, each with their own specialism in the fields of composition, conducting and arrangement, will consist of: Valter Sivilotti (Italy, Chair), Doina Rotaru (Romania, Vice-Chair), David Mastikosa (Bosnia and Herzegovina, jury member).The jury’s decision is final and binding. Prize amounts:

• 1st: €1,000.00, inclusive of tax deductions, and a diploma, with the world premiere to take place at Trieste Flute Day 2026;
  2nd: €500.00, inclusive of tax deductions, and a diploma;
  3rd: €250.00, inclusive of tax deductions, and a certificate.
  The Trieste Flute Association reserves the right to consider non-award-winning pieces for performance on other occasions by the Trieste Flute Ensemble.

Submission Details

• The instrumentation must have the following characteristics, ranging from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 11 flutes, divided into the following sections: – 1 or 2 piccolos – 3 or 4 flutes – 1 or 2 alto flutes – 1 or 2 bass flutes – 1 contrabass flute.

• The compositions, which must be unpublished – i.e. never published, never performed and never entered and/or awarded prizes in previous competitions – must be exclusively for flute ensemble.

Recording Rights

An audio or audio/video recording will be made during the performance of the winning pieces at Trieste Flute Day 2026. Each entrant, from the moment of registration, undertakes to authorise this, together with the possibility that the recording may be publicly broadcast via radio, television or the internet, both nationally and internationally, and may be included in a recorded release. In any case, the name of the composer and the context for which the work was created will be indicated.