Composer opportunity directory
Browse open composition competitions, compare deadlines and entry details, or research past calls in the archive.
Open calls
80 open
International Composition Competition Orazio Michi dell’Arpa PRESS RELEASE THE SECOND EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION "ORAZIO MICHI DELL'ARPA" IS UNDERWAY Deadline set for October 31, 2026. The excellent international jury that will evaluate the unpublished works for piano has b
The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA) announces the 2027 Franco Carillon Composition Contest. The goal of this contest is to grow the carillon repertoire with new works of high quality and innovative musical language. Submission type: Entries must be an original carillon composition f
The South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Orchestra Division has a yearly Composition Contest for the Sight Reading portion of our Concert Performance Assessment. We are currently seeking original compositions specifically written for 6th–12th grade string orchestras that meet our estab
The NBA/Merrill Jones Memorial Young Band Composition Contest was established in 1991 as a memorial to Merrill Jones, co-owner of Wingert-Jones Music Company, by his widow, Priscilla Jones. Mr. Jones was concerned always with helping the young composer. NBA past president Robert (Bob) Foster sugges
The Lake George Music Festival is accepting applications starting Sept. 1 for new works for their 2027 summer season at Lake George, New York. Composers of any age and nationality are eligible, including students currently enrolled in degree programs. One or two winning composers will have their wor
The 10th Dante Moro International Composition Competition is open to composers of all ages and nationalities.Sections:A: A composition for solo piano, piano and violin, piano and cello, or piano trio, to serve as the soundtrack for a 5’21” video presentation dedicated to Dante Moro.B: A work for pia
KANTOS CHRISTMAS CAROL COMPETITION 2026 Winner’s Prize Money: £500 Guest Panellist: Cecilia McDowall The winning entry will be performed in our Candlelit Carols with Kantos concerts on Thursday 3 December at St John’s Church, Chester and Saturday 5 December 2026 at St Ann’s Church, Manchester. THE S
The Max Bruch International Music Competition is open to all instruments, voices, conducting, composition, and chamber music, with no age restrictions. This international online competition is designed to challenge your virtuosity and celebrate your artistic brilliance.All award winners receive a be
Couperin International Music Competition is an online international music competition that aims to fully challenge the virtuosity and artistic excellence of performers. It opens to all Instruments, Voices, Conducting, Composition and Chamber Music, there is no age limit.2026 Season 3 Application Dea
Golden Prestige International Music Competition is an online music competition open to musicians of all ages, all majors including instruments, vocal, conducting, chamber music, composition, music writings, and creative video.2026 Season 3Application Deadline: 9th August, 2026Results Date: 28th Augu
GET IN THE LOOP! The 2026 Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest is open Our annual juried contest spotlights new musical talent from around the world, offering four cash prizes and opportunities to be heard and published. In 2025, we received 127 submissions from 17 countries, including Ca
The Ensemble Contemporary α invites submissions for a premiere at its March 2027 concert. Submission Guidelines 1. Eligibility Not exceeding 40 years old on the date of the premiere (March 18, 2027) No restriction on nationality 2. Composition ・Submission condition: Work(s) must not have been
Past listings
22 archived
First Prize: $10,000 USDSecond Prize: $6,000 USDEligibility: Composers residing in the United States, age 18-26 on the deadline for submission, September 1, 2026. Previous winners, as well as faculty and staff of the University of Louisville and their spouses and children are not eligible to enter.
COmpass REsonance (CORE)—an internationally acclaimed ensemble led by Zachary Carrettin and Mina Gajic—is seeking an original, unperformed work for conductorless string orchestra, offering a $3,000 prize and the possibility of a world premiere performance by CORE.The competition is open to composers
The PRIX ARS ADRIA Awards are dedicated to honoring artistic excellence and innovation across the field of contemporary classical music. The inaugural 2026 edition is open to both emerging and established artists, with the aim of highlighting exceptional artistic achievements, original works, and ou
Composition Competition for Irish ComposersIn the framework of the Irish EU Presidency, the Brussels Chamber Ensemble, a symphonic orchestra composed of 60 musicians, is launching a Composition Competition for Irish Composers, in official cooperation with the Irish Embassy of Brussels and the Irish
The Church of the Blessed Sacrament Competition in Liturgical Composition seeks to foster new music for the Roman Rite. There are no nationality restrictions; applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Submission Requirements The work may comprise any combination of vocal forces from a min
Dedicated to nurturing emerging talent, the Young Composer Initiative is a global contest established in 2022 that champions the creation of innovative wind band compositions by aspiring composers worldwide. The YCI provides: a live performance premiere, a free recording, invitations to serve as a g
THE 11th MATAN GIVOL INTERNATIONAL COMPOSERS COMPETITIONCompositions for 5-14 instruments from the following - One each unless otherwise indicated: Flute (doubling piccolo, alto flute and bass flute), oboe (doubling english horn), clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone,
What is the SwanSongS Fund? Dr. Phillip A. Swan, has established himself as a supporter and promoter of new choral compositions. To honor his 15th anniversary season as Artistic Director of NEWVoices, we established the SwanSongS Fund. This fund will support an ongoing choral composition competition
Carl Reinecke International Music Competition is an online international music competition that aims to fully challenge the virtuosity and artistic excellence of performers. It opens to all Instruments, Voices, Conducting, Composition and Chamber Music, there is no age limit.2026 Season 3 Applicatio
The Brazosport Symphony Orchestra (BSO), located in Lake Jackson, Texas, is sponsoring a competition for student and amateur composers. PRIZE The BSO will feature the winning composition in a public performance. RULES • Entries shall be original compositions between six and ten minutes in duration.
TRUE CONCORD ANNOUNCES ITS SECOND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL COMPETITION True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Tucson’s Two-Time Grammy-nominated ensemble, seeks new, unpublished Christmas works for its December 2026 Lessons & Carols by Candlelight Concerts and/or its Holiday Special. The winning pie
We invite all musicians worldwide — including all instruments, voices, composers, and ensembles — to take part in a refined international artistic experience.With five successful editions and over 1,400 distinguished participants, the competition has established itself as a respected platform for ar