MusicON International Composition Competition 2026

Official call/opportunity page URL: https://www.musiconchamberorchestra.org/4th-musicon-international-composition-competition-2026

Deadline: 31 July 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Entry fee: $25 USD.

Eligibility: Open to participants under 30, born after 1 April 1996, regardless of nationality.

Composition / submission requirements: Works must be for 2 to 6 performers using the designated instrument groups listed on the official page: strings, winds, piano, harp, guitar, and percussion. Electronic or pre-recorded music is not allowed. Duration must be 5 to 8 minutes. Works must be original, composed after 2023, unpublished, unperformed, and unawarded. Only one submission per participant is allowed, and the score must be anonymous.

Prize / benefit: Prizes include $2,000 for the winner aged 18 or above, $500 for the honorable mention aged 18 or above, and $1,000 for the under-18 winner. Four to six finalists are selected. Winners receive video and certificates, and finalist works are scheduled for premiere in New York.

Application method: Use the official MusicON registration link and submit the score PDF, photo, and ID or passport as required.

Recommended for: Young composers seeking a chamber-performance opportunity in New York.

Applicant note: The age rule is precise, so applicants should confirm that their birth date falls after 1 April 1996 before paying the fee.