Open call: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra composers’ competition

Submission is free and the shortlist will be announced by the end of November 2023, with a concert of the selected works to be held in March 2024. The commissioned work of the competition’s first winner, Conrad Asman, will be performed at the concert as well.

Interested composers must submit their entries via email at info@cpo.org.za before 31 August.

Requirements

Sponsored by German philanthropist Alexander Valentin, the competition’s requirements are as follows:

• The competition is designed for composers not older than 35 and born after 31 August 1988.
• Previous winners of first prize in the competition will not be eligible to enter.
• Only composers resident in South Africa will be brought to Cape Town for the finalists’ concert.
• Orchestrations for more than 55 players will not be considered.
• Works for solo instruments or voice will not be accepted.
• A short work of between five and 15 minutes for a normal symphony orchestra is required.
• Five finalists will be chosen by a jury of distinguished composers, conductors and musicologists whose names will be announced later. The jury’s decision will be final.

Valentin is sponsoring the overall winners cash prize of R50 000 (about $2 600) and a new commission for R15 000, while the CPO is offering the position of composer-in-residence for one year as an opportunity to have at least one more piece performed.

An exchange with the Junge Norddeutsche Philharmonie (JNP) in Germany will also enable the winning piece to be performed internationally at a concert in Germany, while the winner of a competition organised by the JNP will have his or her work performed in Cape Town by the CPO. 

“I am in the fortunate position of being able to assist, especially at a time when corporate and government funding is being reduced,” Valentin said. “I believe that nurturing the soul is important for mental wellbeing.

CPO CEO Louis Heyneman said it would have proved difficult to host the competition without the support of Valentin.

“The first competition showed how young composers appreciate the rare chance to work with a committed orchestra and a good conductor to allow them to realise their dream of having new works performed. What’s more, the fact that the competition is filmed, streamed and remains on YouTube allows the composers to promote their works nationally and internationally.”

The competition will provide sought-after performance opportunities to composers. The instrumentation, Heyneman said, would encompass far more than a traditional symphony orchestra.

“Instrumentation for works can include strings, triple woodwinds, brass and percussion, piano, harp, celeste, traditional African instruments, and electronic instruments.” 

View the original call here.