Open call: Cantori New York music competition

Cash prizes will be awarded to top three selections: $4 000, $2 000, and $1 000. Additionally, the winning composition will be performed in New York.

To apply, composers should submit an engraved full score including any programme notes. Submission fee is $10, which may be waived upon request.

Submissions are due on 17 November. The winners will be announced on this page and by email in Spring 2024.

Eligibility

• Age limit: None.
• Nationality: Any.
• Demographics: Cantori New York will collect information on age, gender, ethnicity, etc, to assess how well they are attracting applicants from different backgrounds. This information will not be shared with judges.
• Composition date: Cantori New York considers any music written by a living composer, subject to the restrictions below.
• Past performances: Cantori’s mission is to champion new music and revive neglected works that deserve the public’s attention. As such, it accepts music with one or two prior performances in a non-professional setting (such as school, festival, or workshop reading). However, works that have already been performed by a professional ensemble, released on a commercial recording, or performed more than twice in any setting are not eligible.
• Cantori New York affiliation: Composers whose work has previously been premiered by Cantori are not eligible. Cantori singers, alumni, staff, board members and their immediate families are not eligible.

Additional information/requirements

• Additional prize: a premiere performance of the first prize winner performed by Cantori New York, including a live recording. The work will be programmed no later than the 2025 to 2026 season.
• Judges: Judging panel will be drawn from composers, teachers, instrumentalists, singers, and other members of the Cantori community led by Cantori New York artistic director Mark Shapiro.
• Process: All scores will be reviewed by at least two judges. If an assigned judge feels that they cannot be impartial to a particular submission (e.g. their student), an additional judge will review it.
• Announcement: Winners will be announced in Spring 2024 on Cantori New York website and by email.
• Parts: Winners will be expected to engrave individual parts for each instrument upon request.
• Copyrights: Composers retain ownership of all submissions, including the exclusive rights to publish, arrange, perform, record, or synchronise them. If a submission receives a cash prize, the composer grants Cantori New York a permanent licence to perform the winning work, and to display the live performance on the website and social media channels for promotional purposes. Any further uses by Cantori New York (e.g. a commercial album) will be negotiated separately.

View the original call here.