Calling young composers to the spotlight

Submission Specifications

Piece to include:

• A celebratory composition for symphony orchestra
• Standard instrumentation: 2/2/2/2 woodwinds, 4/2/3/1 brass, timpani and two percussionists, and strings
• Playable by an advanced youth orchestra
• Duration 3-5 minutes

Submission materials:

• Application form
• PDF Score
• Digital mp3
• 1-page artist statement (300 word maximum)
• Submissions must be submitted online.

Submission Evaluation

Compositions received will be adjudicated by three distinguished composers. The composer of the winning composition will be notified by May 15, 2026.

Eligibility

All composers up to 30 years of age with a significant connection to Montana are encouraged to apply. This includes those who are current students or graduates of a Montana high school, college or university; born, raised, or residing in Montana; or have some other connection to Montana. Residents of neighboring states may be considered, providing they can explain their connection to Montana or their submitted work to Montana.

Previous winners of the competition will not be considered.

Intellectual Property and Rights

By entering this competition, composers give the rights to the Montana Youth Symphony to perform the composition without additional compensation and to record their submitted work. The winning composer will prepare a full score and set of parts which can be distributed electronically. The rights to perform and record this work are exclusive to the Montana Youth Symphony until the premiere performances. The winning composer is able and encouraged to pursue other performances of the piece after August 3, 2026.

The Montana Youth Symphony will retain exclusive rights to the recording of the premiere performance and may use that recording for promotional purposes.

If a composer's work uses the intellectual property of another person (e.g., poetry text, visual art, extended quotations of other musical works), the composer must secure the legal rights to distribute the composition before entering the competition.