4th Mieczysław Karłowicz International Composers’ Competition
- Blogger
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Official call/opportunity page URL: https://zaiks.org.pl/en/konkursy/mkk
Additional official rules/information URL: https://app.zaiks.org.pl//media/iogjqwxg/rules-of-the-4th-mieczys%C5%82aw-kar%C5%82owicz-international-composers-competition.pdf
Organizer: Society of Authors ZAiKS, with the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin as co-organizer.
Deadline: 31 August 2026 at 23:59.
Entry fee / cost: No entry fee.
Eligibility: Open to composers of all nationalities and any age. Each submitted work must be original and must not have been published, performed, or awarded in another competition.
Opportunity / work requirements: The competition is for a 9- to 12-minute symphony-orchestra work. The work may refer to Karłowicz’s music, artistic attitude, or biography. Maximum instrumentation is 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani plus three percussionists, harp, piano, and strings 12.10.10.8.6. Solo voices, tape, and live electronics are not permitted. The PDF score must be anonymous and identified by an alphanumeric code.
Support / prize / benefit: The total prize pool is €40,000: €15,000 first prize, €11,000 second prize, €7,000 third prize, and two honorable mentions of €3,500 each. An Audience Award and Orchestra Award are also planned. Finalists receive the honorary title stated in the rules, and ZAiKS provides accommodation in Szczecin on 27 November 2026.
Application method: Submit the anonymous score through the dedicated competition website linked from the official call, complete the online form, and attach an English-language biographical note. Multiple works are allowed, but each must use a separate code and separate submission.
Schedule / additional conditions: Up to five works are selected for the final. First-stage results are scheduled by 28 September 2026. Finalists must send professionally prepared orchestral parts by 27 October. The final and world-premiere concert is scheduled for 27 November 2026 in Szczecin, with the Philharmonic conducted by Szymon Bywalec. The organizers do not acquire copyright, subject to the promotional-use provisions in the rules.