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Eligibility

The 2025 Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers (GSC) is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are under the age of 35 on the application deadline (August 15, 2024). For the 2025 competition that meansÌýborn after August 15, 1989.

All submitted works must be 100% original.

Competition dates

  • Application deadline: AugustÌý15, 2024Ìýat 12:00ÌýPM (noon) EST
  • Pre-composition consultation with all finalists and musicians (virtual): Week of October 28 2024, schedule TBD
  • Finalists announced: December, 2024
  • Finalists submit commissioned work (full score and individual parts): March 16, 2025, byÌý12:00ÌýPM (noon)ÌýEST
  • Finalists arrive in Montreal: May 10, 2025
  • Final concert round:ÌýSunday, May 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST

Prizes

The commissioned works of all finalists will be premieredÌýat the Schulich School of Music ofÌýÂ鶹AV. The concert will be webcast.Ìý

  • 1st Prize:Ìý$18,000 CA
  • 2nd Prize: $12,000 CA
  • ThreeÌýHonourableÌýMention Awards of $6,000 CA
  • People's Choice Award of $6,000 CA
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Application procedure

All official competition communications will be by email.

You must fill out the online application form and include:

  • Proof of age and Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status. The following are acceptable documents: birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card.
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a biography of 250-300 words.
  • Scores for three (3) original works (in PDF format), each from 3-15 minutes long,Ìýwith accompanying programÌýnotes (in PDF format).ÌýSince the final round of competition will be a commission for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and vibraphone, we strongly recommended that one of your three preliminary submissions be in chamber music formation for mixed ensemble.Ìý
  • An audio OR video media file link for a minimum of one of your submitted works. Aim for the most professional standard possible. Before you send it, check that the link is working and can be read with any standard player. Links for Soundcloud (audio) and YouTube (video) are recommended.

The GSC reserves the rightÌýto dismiss submissions that do not meet these requirements prior to jury review.

Travel to Montreal

If you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to be in Montreal from May 10-19, 2025 inclusive,Ìýto rehearse with the ensemble and to attend the final concert.

If required, your travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the Competition. All finalists will receive a per diem. The Competition will not cover any costs for persons accompanying you to Montreal for the Competition.

Commissioned composition for final concert round

  • Finalists must compose an original work forÌý6-person chamber ensemble: C flute, B-flatÌýclarinet, violin, cello, piano, and vibraphone (up to four mallets). The work must be 8 to 12 minutes long.
  • Preparation of any of the instrumentsÌýas well as theÌýuse ofÌýelectronics, amplification, or soundtracks is not permitted. Woodwind doubling,Ìýthe retuning of string instruments (scordatura) and the use of non-standard drumsticks or mallets areÌýnot permitted. The concert piano will be tuned toÌý442ÌýHz and cannot be retuned.
  • The GSC will provide one 6-person professional ensembleÌýto perform all of the works at the final concert, which will be webcast.ÌýThe performers for the 2025 edition of the GSC will be .
  • The ensemble will have fifteenÌý(15) total hours of rehearsal on eachÌýfinalist's workÌýprior to the final performance, including six (6) hours each to work with the selectedÌýfinalistsÌýbetween May 11-18, 2025.
  • The commissioned work may not be performed in public by another ensemble in advance of the GSC. It must be premiered on May 18, 2025.
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Application Form

The application for the 2025 edition of the Graham Sommer Competition has closed. Read aboutÌýeligibility and submission procedures. Ìý Ìý

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