The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra Young Composer Competition
The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is dedicated to providing qualified youth and experienced adults from Issaquah and surrounding communities an opportunity to perform symphonic music; to foster music education in the community; and to contribute to the enhancement of the performing arts in Issaquah.
In keeping with this mission, the orchestra is pleased to announce the 3rd Young Composer Competition. The competition is open to residents of Washington State who are twenty-five (25) years of age and younger. Competitors will submit an original orchestral composition not previously performed publicly. The winner will receive a one thousand-dollar ($1000) prize and have their work premiered by the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra.
Competition Requirements:
- The competition is for young composers who are legal residents of Washington State and who are not older than twenty-five (25) years of age on October 1, 2023.
- Works submitted must be:
- An original work not previously performed publicly
- A composition for full orchestra (full strings, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani and percussion)
- No longer than ten minutes
- Reflect the theme: Washington is known as the Evergreen State. Washington’s forests are home to about twenty-five (25) native evergreen tree species. Evergreen denotes more than firs, hemlocks, pines, spruces, cedars, yews, larches, and junipers – Evergreen represents the spirit of being perennially fresh, interesting, and enduring.
- Applicants are encouraged to take into consideration that the IPO is a volunteer community orchestra and has players of varying abilities.
- All submissions must be postmarked by October 1, 2023.
Submission Process:
Competition application must include:
- IPO Young Composer Cover Sheet (click for IPO Young Composer Competition Cover Sheet)
- USB flash drive with a copy of the full score in an anonymous PDF format and an anonymous recording in mp3 format. Recordings must be complete (no excerpts) and must be labeled with the title of the work only.
- Three (3) printed copies of the full score without the composer’s name.
Submit the complete competition application to:
IPO Young Composer Competition
PO Box 1466
Issaquah, WA 98027
Judging and Prize Distribution:
- Judging will be double-blind with a panel of judges from outside the orchestra scoring the submitted compositions.
- The winner will retain full rights to his or her work, will provide a full set of parts to the orchestra, and agree to allow the IPO to perform the work for free in perpetuity.
- The winner will receive a one thousand-dollar ($1000) prize at or after the premier of their work by the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra.
Questions:
Questions regarding the Young Composer Competition may be sent to: ipo@iphil.org
Please put “Young Composer Competition” in the subject line.
Statement of Non-Discrimination:
The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization does not and shall not discriminate on the basis race, color, religion (creed), gender or gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
