Young Composer
Prize
A prize should do more than rank artists. It should confer standing.
An International Prize for Emerging Composers
The Young Composer Prize is a yearly, Conservatory-level recognition for emerging composers with exceptional voice, craft, and imagination — designed to elevate new work through mentorship culture and institutional recognition.
This is not a content contest. This is not a popularity vote. This is a formal signal: your work belongs in serious rooms.
2027 Cycle Status
Interest List Now Open
Full guidelines — including eligibility, categories, and panel format — will be published in the official cycle release.
- Deadline: December 15, 2026
- Status: Interest List accepting registrations
- Guidelines: Coming soon
At a Glance
Who It's For
Emerging composers at the beginning of a serious artistic trajectory
What You Submit
Score + audio + short composer statement (exact requirements per cycle)
How It's Reviewed
Panel evaluation with published criteria, focused entirely on the work itself
What It Offers
Institutional recognition + mentorship pathways + performance opportunities
"A prize should create momentum."
Recognition matters because it changes what becomes possible.
Why This Prize Exists
Emerging composers often face two problems at once:
They need recognition to open doors — but doors require recognition to open.
They need mentorship to refine craft and clarify voice — but mentorship requires access.
Traditional competitions can reward surface complexity or prestige signals rather than musical intelligence. We evaluate differently: by coherence, craftsmanship, and artistic truth.
What We Evaluate
We evaluate work with seriousness and care. We look for work where the composer's intent is audible and the notation supports the music without confusion.
Craft
Clarity of notation, structure and musical logic, professional readability
Voice
Originality, identity, coherence — a musical world unmistakably yours
Medium Awareness
Understanding of performers, electronics, or hybrid requirements
Readiness
Ability for the work to stand in professional review
Intent
Evidence that choices are purposeful, not random complexity
Who It's For
Eligibility is defined per cycle because the field changes.
In general, "young" refers to career stage rather than a single rigid number. When a cycle opens, the eligibility statement will be explicit.
- Age
- Years of study
- Career stage / trajectory
- Acoustic works
- Electronic works
- Hybrid works (depending on cycle)
Typical Submission Materials
Each cycle publishes exact guidelines. Typical materials may include:
Score (PDF)
Full score with clear notation, rehearsal marks, dynamics, and performance instructions
Audio
Mockup or live recording that makes the musical logic audible
Composer Statement
Short statement focused on intent and process (not marketing)
Portfolio Link
Additional samples or website showcasing broader work
What Winners May Receive
Specific benefits vary by cycle, but may include:
Important: Only what is explicitly stated in the official cycle release is promised.
How to Prepare a Strong Submission
A strong submission is rarely the most complicated. It is the clearest and most coherent.
Notation, rehearsal marks, dynamics — all present and legible
Audio that allows the musical logic to be heard
Explain intent and process, not self-praise
Work that represents you, not what you think a panel wants
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this only for traditional notation?
Cycles define accepted mediums. Many cycles support acoustic and electronic work with appropriate documentation.
Do you accept mockups?
Often yes when live recordings are not available. Guidelines define requirements.
Will there be a performance?
Not guaranteed. Any reading or showcase is stated per cycle.
Can I submit multiple pieces?
Guidelines define whether additional samples are permitted.
Do you take ownership of submitted work?
No. Applicants retain rights; submissions are used for review only.
Faculty & Panels
Panels draw from Conservatory faculty and invited artists aligned with our standards.
View Faculty Directory →
Rights & Authorship
Applicants retain rights to their work. Submissions are used only for review purposes.
Join the Interest List →
Join the Interest List
Receive cycle announcements, deadlines, and submission guidelines the moment they're published.