Call for applications: 2019 London Composition Awards

Interested composers can submit entries in the following 11 categories:

• Orchestral Composition (symphony orchestra)
• Orchestral Composition (chamber orchestra)
• Chamber Composition (piano trio)
• Chamber Composition (string quartet)
• Chamber Composition (other string ensembles)
• Chamber Composition (wind ensemble)
• Chamber Composition (choral ensemble)
• Chamber Composition (other/mixed ensemble)
• Solo Composition (with accompaniment)
• Solo Composition (without accompaniment – piano)
• Solo Composition (without accompaniment – other solo instruments)

The standard deadlines are 2 August and 2 September. The final deadline is 11 October.

The nomination list will be released on 2 November and the winners announced on 9 November. Five composers will be nominated in each category and 10 will be nominated for Best Overall Composition.

Requirements

Requirements vary in each category.

Symphony Orchestra

• Woodwinds: At least 2, 2, 2, 2. Extra parts and doubling optional.
• Brass: At least 4, 3, 3, 1. Extra parts and doubling optional.
• Percussion: At least timp. Other percussion parts (tuned and untuned) optional.
• Strings: Large string section. Harp, violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, basses.
• Other: Piano, celesta, harpsichord, organ, and any non-standard or electric instruments are optional. Choirs/vocalists and instrumental soloists are also optional.

​Chamber Orchestra

• Woodwinds: At least two woodwind parts in total.
• Brass: Optional.
• Percussion: Optional.
• Strings: Moderate string section. violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, basses.
• Other: Harp, piano, celesta, harpsichord, organ, and any non-standard or electric instruments are optional. Vocalists and instrumental soloists are also optional.

Piano trio

• Piano + violin + cello or piano + two other solo instruments.

String quartet

• Violin I, violin II, viola, cello.

 Other String Ensemble

• Any combination of at least three, but no more than 10 string instruments.

 Wind ensemble

• Any combination of at least three, but no more than 10 woodwind and brass instruments.

Choral ensemble

• Any vocal ensemble with at least three parts; can be as large as a full-sized choir. Can be written for any assortment of voices (SATB, SSAA, TTBB, etc.) Piano or organ accompaniment is optional.

​Other/mixed ensemble

• Any combination of at least 3, but no more than 10 instruments (either standard or non-standard or electric).

 Solo instrument with accompaniment

• One solo instrument (piano accepted) and one accompaniment (harp, piano, harpsichord, or other).

Solo Piano without accompaniment

• Solo piano.

​Other Solo instrument without accompaniment

• Solo instrument (any excluding piano).

Eligibility

To qualify for this competition, the entrant must:

• Be 18 years old and above.
• Submit only one original work (2-8 minutes). 
• Submit the score in PDF format.
• Pay the required entry fee of £10 (about $12) before the standard deadline. After that date, the fee will be raised to £15, and then once again to £20 before the final deadline.
• Submit a digitally rendered or live-performed audio file of the same work.

Prizes

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of a £500 and a collection of virtual prizes such as notation software, digital audio workstations and virtual instruments, among others, whereas the winners of each category will receive £300 along with virtual prizes.

The nominees in each category will also receive a small prize package.

The guidelines and application form are available here.