15th “Rivers Awards” International Composition Competition 2026-2027
- Blogger
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Official call/opportunity page URL: https://www.shcmusic.edu.cn/2026/0407/c1609a60900/page.htm
Organizer: Shanghai Conservatory of Music, hosted by its Composition and Conducting Department.
Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on Friday 9 October 2026.
Entry fee / cost: No application fee.
Eligibility: Open to composers of all nationalities and regions who are under 40, meaning born on or after 1 January 1986. Each composer may submit one work.
Opportunity / work requirements: The submitted work must be original and must not have been performed, awarded, or published. It must last 10-15 minutes and incorporate pitch material from three designated works by Xiao Youmei, Huang Zi, and He Luting; the method of using the material must be explained on the score title page. The work is for double- or triple-woodwind orchestra. A concerto is permitted only for one solo Chinese instrument selected from dizi/xiao, pipa, erhu, guzheng, or sheng. Pre-recorded audio and electronic music are not accepted. Maximum forces are 3.3.3.3, 4.3.3.1, timpani, four percussionists, harp, piano, and strings 14.12.10.8.6.
Support / prize / benefit: Commission fees are USD 12,000 for first prize, USD 5,000 for second, USD 2,000 for third, USD 1,000 for each of three Excellence Awards, and USD 1,000 for the Orchestra Award. Finalists must attend the final concert; the organizer covers travel and accommodation in Shanghai during the competition period.
Application method: Email a clearly legible anonymous PDF score, signed application form, clear ID photograph, and copy of a valid ID card or passport to racc@shcmusic.edu.cn before the deadline.
Schedule / additional conditions: Ten works are scheduled to be shortlisted by 18 October 2026. An orchestra reading during the Shanghai Contemporary Music Festival in November 2026 will select six finalists. The final concert is planned for September-November 2027. Winners retain copyright; the organizer receives the non-commercial, premiere, and priority performance/publication rights stated in the rules.