Entries are now open for the 2022 Commonwealth International Composition Award
The Commonwealth International Composition Award is a competition now in its third year, which aims to encourage young musicians to write their own music, and to give young composers the skills they need to further their careers.
The Award is run in partnership with The Commonwealth Resounds, the ABRSM, the Royal Overseas League, and The Purcell School for Young Musicians.
Anyone who is of school age anywhere in the world can apply. There are two categories in the competition –
Starters, for young people who have never composed music before.
Flyers, for young people who have tried to make up their own music and who would like to receive teaching and help to learn new composing skills.
If you are a keen, enthusiastic young person, who loves music and would like to work with online teachers and mentors to bring your musical ideas to life, this competition is for you!
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Entries are open from Tuesday 13th July 2021
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Applications must be submitted by Friday 15th October 2021
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Shortlisted young composers to be announced on Monday 25th October 2021
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The Grand Final – Jan/Feb 2022 tbc
To find out more about this opportunity, see the Award website.
To apply, please follow this link to the application form.
The 2021 competition attracted hundreds of entries from school age composers, and the entries were shortlisted down to ten finalists, who had their pieces recorded and performed by professional musicians. The Award Final was streamed live from the Royal Over-Seas League, with live performances of the pieces and pre-recorded messages from the adjudicators. The overall winner was announced by special guest Evelyn Glennie.
“This competition is an amazing opportunity. I learnt so much from the mentorship and the exciting opportunity to hear my composition recorded and performed live. I encourage all those eligible to enter, no matter your compositional level – all you need is a love of making sounds!” Xiaole Zhan, 2019 Winner
Competition Partners:
The Commonwealth Resounds is an accredited Commonwealth musical organisation. Established in 2005 with a mission to connect musical cultures, and to promote musical initiatives and partnerships in Commonwealth countries. The organisation supports and takes part in cultural projects in every layer of communities.
The ABRSM inspires musical achievement. It is the UK’s largest music education body, one of its largest music publishers and the world’s leading provider of music exams, holding over 650,000 assessments in more than 90 countries every year. As a registered charity, the ABRSM also make significant donations towards music education initiatives around the world.
The Purcell School for Young Musicians is The Purcell School is an international school for young musicians aged 10 to 18, and Britain’s oldest music school. Based on the outskirts of London, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the School provides a rounded education with music at its heart to approximately 180 talented young players, singers and composers.
The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a not-for-profit private members’ organisation dedicated to championing international friendship and understanding. ROSL helps artists and musicians across the Commonwealth connect, collaborate and create.
Competition adjudicators: Orphy Robinson MBE, Bushra El-Turk, Duncan Chapman, Supriya Nagarajan, and Barbara Law.