Our list of competitions, awards, and calls for scores of interest to current and prospective members of the Walden community.
The Walden School in no way endorses these opportunities above others that may not appear, nor does it claim to have achieved a comprehensive listing. If you feel there is an opportunity that we have omitted from our list, we encourage you to contact us. We also encourage you to check out The Composer’s Site, which maintains extensive and up-to-date opportunity listings.
Featured Opportunities
BMI Foundation Pete Carpenter Fellowship
The Pete Carpenter Fellowship is an annual, competitive residency for aspiring film, television, and video game composers ages 21 and above. The program awards two $3,000 awards each Fall for an intensive, in-studio mentorship with established composers in New York and Los Angeles, as well as offering the opportunity to consult with other distinguished leaders in the entertainment industry. Apply by June 15, 2025.
Summer 2025
Young Musicians Program for
musically-inclined students ages 9-18
Creative Musicians Retreat for
adult musicians
Start your application today!
Limited spots are available, and applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Opportunity Archive
Name of opportunity | Details | Eligibility | Application fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Composers Forum Programs | ACF has a variety of opportunities for composers at various stages of their careers. Learn more at https://composersforum.org/programs/ | Varies | Varies |
| American Prize | The American Prize in Composition recognizes and rewards the best composers in America of works for orchestra, chorus, concert band, chamber ensemble, pops, or theater music (opera-musical theater, theater, film, dance) that have been read or publicly performed. https://www.theamericanprize.org/compinfo.html | Separate awards for student and professional composers | Varies |
| ASCAP Awards and Scholarships | Wide variety of awards and scholarships for emerging composers and songwriters. Peruse ASCAP's many intiatives at https://www.ascapfoundation.org/programs/awards | Varies | Varies |
| ASCAP SEAMUS Student Composer Commissioning Program | The purpose of this program is to stimulate student participation in SEAMUS activities, and to encourage young composers to pursue creative endeavors in electro-acoustic music. https://seamusonline.org/ascapseamus/ | Applicants to the SEAMUS Student Commissioning Competition must be student members of SEAMUS and must be either currently enrolled in an academic program in the United States (high school through doctoral studies) or a United States citizen studying abroad. | Free |
| Ballora-Wang Young Composer Prize | The Ballora-Wang Young Composer Prize is an annual prize which recognizes three composers at the high school level each year. The call typically opens in August of each year and closes in November with winners announced each spring. https://sites.psu.edu/pennstatecomposition/young-composer-prize/ | Composers who are U.S. citizens and in high school during the 2023/2024 school year. | Free |
| Barlow Prize Competition | The winning composer will receive a $12,000 commission to compose a major new work, performed by a consortium of musicians. Submissions are due anually on June 1. Learn more at https://barlow.byu.edu/barlow-prize | Anyone | Free |
| BMI Pete Carpenter Fellowship | The Pete Carpenter Fellowship is an annual, competitive residency for aspiring film, television, and video game composers. The program awards two $3,000 awards each Fall for an intensive, in-studio mentorship with established composers in New York and Los Angeles, as well as offering the opportunity to consult with other distinguished leaders in the entertainment industry. https://bmifoundation.org/by-application/petecarpenterfellowship | At least 21 years old, pursuing a career in TV, film, and/or video game composition and must be a US Citizen or resident with a valid visa or green card, and eligible for employment during the residency period. | Free |
| BMI Student Composer Awards | Awards totaling $20,000 are determined annually for vocal, instrumental, and/or electronic compositions submitted by students of classical music. https://bmifoundation.org/by-application/bmicomposerawards | Must be a citizen of a country in the Western Hemisphere currently studying music, either in an educational institution or privately, and under the age of 28 as of time of submission. | Free |
| Cambridge Chamber Singers Composition Competition | Annual competition for choral works to be performed by the Cambridge Chamber Singers. https://cambridgechambersingers.org/compcomp/ | Anyone | Free |
| Centre International Nadia et Lili Boulanger Scholarships | One scholarship each per year for a performer, composer, and musicologist, carrying out studies in France, adapted to the needs of each candidate. | Candidates must be at least 20 years old and at most 32 years old by the deadline, and must pursue their studies in France. | Free |
| Composers & Schools in Concert: Composer Commissions and Workshops | Commissions for professional composers to write pieces for high-school students; opportunities to develop music-creation workshops for students. https://www.composersandschools.com/ | Professional composers | Free |
| Delta Omicron Composition Competition | Annual competition sponsored by the Delta Omicron International Fraternity. In 2024, the call is for works of 7-15 minutes duration for clarinet and piano. Winning composer will receive $1,000. https://www.delta-omicron.org/composition-competition | All composers of college-age or older. Submitted works must not have been previously commissioned, published, or publicly performed. | $25 |
| Downbeat Student Music Awards | The award categories include various genres and styles, including jazz, blues/pop/rock, Latin, and original compositions for small and large ensembles; there are also awards for sound engineering. https://www.downbeat.com/?/sma/ | Separate awards for students in middle school, high school, and college. Students may not be enrolled in full-time professional work. | Free |
| Earplay Donald Aird Composers Competition | Annual competition awarding $1000 cash prize and a performance by Earplay in their next season, for compositions for 1-6 players, with or without electronics. https://www.earplay.org/donald-aird-competition | Anyone | $26/score |
| Emerging Composer Completion Grants | The San Francisco ARTZenter Institute and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players offer these grants to young composers currently enrolled in a degree-granting program of study in composition. The grant program offers $3,000 completion grants to six winners, who will then have the opportunity to participate in a three-day open rehearsal workshop. The workshops will culminate in a recorded “open work-in-progress rehearsal” of the six works. https://artzenter.org/the-grant-program/ | Composers must be currently enrolled in an academic program of study in music composition in the United States. | Free |
| Emory University Symphony Orchestra – Call for Compositions | Emory University and the Emory University Symphony Orchestra are excited to announce a commissioning opportunity for BIPOC female-identifying composers. The selected composer will receive $5000, workshop time with the orchestra, a premiere in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts and a professional recording of the performance. https://emorysymphony.org/emory-university-commission-call/ | BIPOC women composers | Free |
| Face the Music Composer Program | The Face the Music Composition Program welcomes composers at all levels and with varying stylistic interests. Instrumentalists who have never composed before but have always wanted to can use this as an opportunity to compose their first piece of music! Student-composers who have experience and are working on larger-scale works may be invited to write a piece for a Face the Music ensemble and have the opportunity to develop that piece in a laboratory environment. https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/ftm/composition/ | Composers under college age, and studying a musical instrument. | $40 |
| Foundation for Modern Music: Robert Avalon Composition Competition | $75-$1,000 cash prizes and performance by FMM performers of the winning submissions in a variety of categories. https://www.modernmusic.org/competition | 4 Divisions ranging from through 8th grade to professional. | Varies by category ($30-$75) |
| Fromm Commission Grant | $12,000 commission for all compositions regardless of idiom, instrumentation, style, or the use of technology. Submissions in jazz, hybrid, electronic, or other idioms are welcome. https://frommfoundation.fas.harvard.edu/about | To be eligible, a composer must be a legal resident of the United States for a term of one year or more during the time of the application. For these purposes, "residents" shall be deemed to include U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary residents, asylees, refugees, and nonimmigrants who have been lawfully admitted to, and reside in, the United States and can ensure they are legally able to be paid for services by Harvard University. | See website |
| Heartland Symphony Composition Competition | Heartland Symphony Orchestra is a 50-piece volunteer, nonprofit, community orchestra located in and serving the central Minnesota area of Brainerd, Little Falls, and the surrounding rural communities. HSO invites composers nationwide to submit original orchestral compositions. Winners will receive a $1000 monetary prize, an opportunity to work with HSO and its conductor, and a recording of the concert. https://heartlandsymphony.com/ | See website | See website |
| Heckscher Foundation-Ithaca College Composition Prize | Annual prize affiliated with the Ithaca College Music Department. In 2023, the call is for works for solo viola. https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music-theatre-and-dance/department-music-theory-history-and-composition/heckscher-foundation-ithaca-college-international-composition-prize | Anyone | Free |
| InterContinental Music Awards | The Los Angeles-based InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA) evaluates music entries from a global and ethical perspective by a panel of judges who are active industry professionals and Hollywood music executives. ICMA welcomes amateur and professional musicians and songwriters of all ages to submit original music and/or performances (including covers and remixes of existing music). https://www.intercontinentalmusicawards.com/music-competition/ | Anyone | See website |
| Intermusic SF (Formerly SF Friends of Chamber Music) Musical Grant Program | Grants for composers, performers, and presenters to cover composer fees, performance and rehersal fees, production costs, etc. for a concert series or festival. https://intermusicsf.org/mgp/ | Must reside in one of the 15 counties of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Must be at least 18 years old. Must confirm eligibility with the organization prior to applying. | Free |
| International Society for Contemporary Music | Ongoing list of competitions for composers at https://iscm.org/community-opportunities-from-members/competitions/ | Varies | See website |
| International Society of Bassists: David Walter Composition Competition | $1000 and world premieres for new works in four categories: 1. unaccompanied solo bass, 2. chamber ensemble featuring bass, 3. bass ensemble, and 4. bass and electronic media https://www.isbworldoffice.com/composition.asp?ISB-Cookie-Agreement=Agree | Anyone | $35 per composition |
| International Songwriting Competition | Annual song contest. Winners receive cash prizes and career development opportunities. https://songwritingcompetition.com/ | Anyone - various categories | $35 per song or category |
| Iowa State University Carillon Competition | Competition to encourage young composers to write for carillon. https://carillon.music.iastate.edu/carillon-composition-competition-2024 | See website | See website |
| Ithaca College Choral Composition Contest | Cash prizes up to $1200 and performances for 3-5 minute works for mixed choir. https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music-theatre-and-dance/student-resources/music-students/competitions/choral-composition-festival | Anyone | $25 per composition |
| Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest | Composers are invited to submit new works for jazz big band. $1500 cash prize and performance by Ithaca College students and guest artists. https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music-theatre-and-dance/music-ensembles/instrumental-jazz/composition-contest | Anyone | $25 |
| Ithaca College Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize | A bi-annual call for works written for wind ensemble/concert band. Cash prize of $5,000. Learn more at https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music-theatre-and-dance/music-ensembles/ithaca-college-bands/walter-beeler-memorial-composition-prize | Anyone | Free |
| Jerome Foundation Grants | 2-year Artist Fellowship supports creation of new work workspace/studio/rehearsal rental, research, travel, professional development, professional equipment purchase, residency participation, development of new skills, and/or other needs directly related to artistic and career development as defined by the Fellow. https://www.jeromefdn.org/all-grant-opportunities | Open only to non-student early career generative artists who are legal residents of Minnesota or the five boroughs of New York City and not-for-profit arts organizations that serve those artists. | Free |
| Lake George Music Festival Composers Institute | The Composers Institute at Lake George Music Festival brings together some of the most promising young composers from across the country for a week of study and creative exchange. https://www.lakegeorgemusicfestival.com/composers-institute | Anyone | $10 |
| Lance Reddick Scholarship | Ten students per summer are awarded full scholarships to Walden’s 5-week summer Young Musicians Program in honor of Lance Reddick, a proud Walden alumnus and former faculty member, esteemed actor and accomplished musician. The scholarship allows students in need of significant financial support to attend the summer program and enjoy the experience of a summer at Walden. Five of the scholarships are awarded specifically to students from the Baltimore area in honor of Lance’s hometown and the birthplace of the Walden School. https://waldenschool.org/lance-reddick-scholarship/ | ||
| Left Coast Chamber Ensemble Composition Contest | Call for works between 5 and 20 minutes for 1-7 instruments. Winners are awarded $2000, a performance by Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and a recording of the performance. https://www.leftcoastensemble.org/composition-contest | Anyone | $16 per composition |
| Loadbang International Commission Competition | Annual commission competition. The winning composer will receive a prize of $1,000 as a commission to write a new piece, which will be premiered in New York City by loadbang. Learn more at http://www.loadbang.com/commission-competition.html | Anyone | Free |
| Luna Composition Lab | Yearlong program in which young composers write a piece to be performed at the end of the program. Includes 1:1 mentorship and bimonthly lessons with an established female composer, performance opportunity as part of the Face the Music season, recording of their work, and networking opportunities. https://lunacompositionlab.org/ | Female, gender nonconforming and non-binary composers, ages 12-18 | $15 application fee; $600 program fee. Scholarships available. |
| MATA Festival Call for Submissions | Selected works will be performed at the MATA Festival in New York City. All sorts of music is accepted: fully notated, improvised, sound art, video, electronic, found instruments, toys, installations, and everything in between. https://www.matafestival.org/mata-festival-call-for-submissions-2024 | Composers under age 40 | Free |
| MATA Jr. | Founded in 2014 as the educational arm of MATA. MATA Jr. participants are chosen through a free, global online call for submissions; six composers are selected to work with MATA Jr.’s composer-mentors as they write new works, culminating in an evening of world premieres by New York’s top performers of new music. https://www.matafestival.org/about-mata-jr | Composers who have not yet graduated high school | Free |
| Miquel Llobet Guitar Composition Contest | Call for scores for 3-6' unpublished classical guitar works. Winning compositions will receive performances and winning composers will receive cash prize and honorary certificate. https://mllobet.com/en/certamenllobet/c2024/ | Anyone | 15 Euro |
| mise-en Music Festival Call for Scores | Selected works will be performed at the annual Mise-En Festival in NYC, and composers are offered free housing to attend and participate. https://www.mise-en.org/ | Anyone | $25 per composition |
| MIZZOU New Music Summer Festival Call for Scores | Eight composers from around the world will be selected through a portfolio application process to compose a work to be performed by the internationally acclaimed new music ensemble, Alarm Will Sound. Composers will take part in workshops with Alarm Will Sound and receive a professional live recording of the premiere performance of their work. https://newmusic.missouri.edu/micf/mizzou-international-composers-festival-application | See website | Free |
| Music International Grand Prix Competition | Musicians in four age groups in the categories of Voice, Piano, Strings, Woodwinds and Brass will be selected for performances at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall and will receive cash prizes. https://www.musicinternationalgrandprix.com/ | Anyone (four different age categories) in four different vocal/instrumental categories | $25 |
| Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competitions | Competitions for a variety of age groups and instrumentations https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/Engage/Competitions/Competitions_Guidelines.aspx | MTNA membership required, or nonmember fee of $150 | Varies between categories |
| National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Junior Composer Awards | Cash prizes for various types of pieces: choral works, piano solos, small ensemble pieces, and pieces for voice and accompaniment. https://www.nfmc-music.org/competitionscategory/junior-composers-awards/ | Various awards and categories for composers under 9 through 18 years old. | $5 |
| National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Student Collegiate Division | Cash award for student/collegiate composition students. https://www.nfmc-music.org/competitionscategory/student-collegiate-division/ | Must have reached the 19th, but not the 26th birthday by the application deadline. Must be a junior, senior, or graduate student in college, majoring in composition | $10 |
| National Flute Association Flute Choir Composition Competition | This annual competition selects one work each year to be premiered by the Professional Flute Choir, High School Flute Choir, or Collegiate Flute Choir, in rotation. The winning composition will be performed by the High School Flute Choir during the NFA Convention. The winning composition will also be displayed in the Exhibit Hall during the convention and deposited in the NFA Music Library at the University of Arizona. https://www.nfaonline.org/scholarships-competitions/nfa-competitions/non-performance-competitions/flute-choir-call-for-scores | Must be a current NFA member | Free |
| National Guild of Piano Teachers Composition Contest | Various prizes and categories for new compositions for piano & piano chamber music. https://acmglobal.org/composition-contest | See website | between $20-$60, depending on category |
| New England Philharmonic Call for Scores | Performance of a 15 minute or shorter orchestral work on a New England Philharmonic concert. https://nephilharmonic.org/call-for-scores | Emerging composers | $40 per composition |
| New Music on the Bayou Festival | Learn more at https://www.newmusiconthebayou.com/ | See website | See website |
| nief-norf Summer Festival Call for Scores | Selected works are premiered by Performance Fellows at the nief-norf Summer Festival. https://www.niefnorf.org/call-for-scores/ | Anyone | $15 for the first composition, $10 for each additional work. |
| North/South Consonance Call for Scores | Selected works will be performed and recorded by North/South Consonance (NYC). https://www.northsouthmusic.org/Call-For-Scores | Anyone | See website |
| Pacific Musical Society Annual Competition | Series of competitions for performers, composers, and arrangers ages 8-25, awarding scholarships ranging from $100-1200. https://www.pacificmusical.com/entry-information | Various age categories. Applicants must be residents of the United States. | $100 |
| Parma Recordings Call for Scores/Sphinx | Throughout the year, PARMA leads initiatives to curate and promote new music from a wide variety of today’s composers, for recording or performance with top ensembles. https://www.parmarecordings.com/call-for-scores/ | See website | See website |
| Pulitzer Prize in Music | One $15,000 prize. https://www.pulitzer.org/page/music-submission-guidelines-and-requirements | Anyone. Works submitted must have their premiere in application year. | $75 |
| Random Access Music Call for Scores | Each year, RAM collaborates with an ensemble to present a concert of world premieres. As part of this collaboration, RAM conducts an anonymous call for scores on which the winning composition is included. https://www.ram-nyc.org/about | Anyone | Free |
| Red Note Composition Competition | The RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition is an annual competition, usually with multiple calls for scores of varied instrumentation. The composers of the winning pieces each receive a cash prize and a performance at the RED NOTE New Music Festival, which takes place in March. https://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/events-activities/red-note/competition/ | Anyone | See website |
| Red Note Composition Workshop | The RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Workshop will help composers widen their creative perspectives and hone their craft through open rehearsals with guest performers, seminars with distinguished guest faculty composers, as well as resident faculty composers. https://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/events-activities/red-note/workshop/ | Anyone | $25 for first score, $20 for each additional score |
| San Francisco Choral Artists "New Voices Project" | San Francisco Choral Artists is soliciting new works for chamber choir from composers under 30. Learn more at https://www.sfca.org/new-voices-project/ | Composers under the age of 30 | Free |
| San Francisco Contemporary Music Players Call for Scores | San Francisco Contemporary Music Players produce and perform virtuosic, large-ensemble concerts of contemporary music featuring the works of iconic and emerging composers while shining a spotlight on California artists. Learn about upcoming opportunities for composers at https://sfcmp.org/ | See website | See website |
| Society for New Music: Brian Israel Award | Two prizes — one for $1,000 and one for $750 — are awarded. Also, each of the two prize-winning compositions will be performed by the Society for New Music during the following season. https://www.societyfornewmusic.org/resources.cfm | Open to any composer in New York State who are 30 or younger | Free |
| Stephen Paulus Emerging Composers Competition | American composers age 18-40 are invited to submit a 5-6 minute SATB choral work, with or without piano or single obbligato instrument. Learn more at https://trueconcord.org/stephen_paulus-emerging-composers-competition/ | Emerging composers ages 18-40 | Free |
| Suzanne and Lee Ettelson Composer’s Award | Anual competition awarding $1,000 for a new chamber work. Learn more at https://www.ninthplanetmusic.org/ettelson-composers-award.html | Anyone | See website |
| Texas New Music Ensemble (TNME) Student Composers Competition | Annual competition for young composers, with winning works to be premiered at the annual TNME summer concert each July. https://www.tnme.org/scc | Open to any composer currently enrolled in a music degree program at a Texas institution or a High School student attending school in Texas | $35 |
| The Choral Project's Rachel Moore Composition Contest | Annual competition. High school and undergraduate students are invited to submit original choral works. https://www.choralproject.org/contest | Open to High School (grades 9-12) and undergraduate students of any nationality. | $20 per composition |
| The Composer's Site | Extensive list of regularly updated Calls for Scores and other composer opportunities. http://www.composerssite.com/ | Varies | Varies |
| The Flute New Music Consortium Composition Competition | The Flute New Music Consortium is an organization with the shared mission of promoting new music for the flute by commissioning works and organizing simultaneous premieres. FNMC hosts its annual Composition Competition to connect members of the flute new music community to new works by talented composers. https://www.flutenewmusicconsortium.com/future-composition-competitions.html | Anyone | See website |
| The George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation Fellowships | The George A and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation annually awards nine fellowships of $40,000 to early mid-career artists and scholars. A total of ten fellowships of $40,000 will be awarded in April 2024 for 2024-25 in the fields of Emerging Arts and Science and Technology Studies. https://www.brown.edu/howard-foundation/about | early mid-career scholars and artists | See website |
| Toru Takemitsu Composition Award | One cash prize of 3,000,000 yen and performances of selected orchestral works. https://www.operacity.jp/en/concert/award/entry/index.php | Composers of any national under the age of 35 | Free |
| Tribeca New Music Festival Young Composer Competition | Tribeca New Music announces its 25th Annual Young Composer Competition (YCC). Its two-fold purpose is to encourage outstanding young composers in the U.S., and to provide a prominent forum for their recognition. The winner in each division will receive $1,000, a performance at the festival, and a recording. https://www.tribecanewmusic.org/youngcomposercompetition/ | Two divisions: 1. composers ages 22-35; 2. composers ages 21 and younger. Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident. | $35 per composition |
| Underwood New Music Readings and Commission | Chosen composers will have their pieces workshopped and recorded by the American Composers Orchestra (NYC). Composers also participate in a series of professional development workshops covering such topics as promotion, score preparation and publishing, copyright and commissioning agreements, and other career essentials. https://www.americancomposers.org/earshot-composer-incubator/earshot | U.S. citizens or non-citizens lawfully and permanently residing, or studying full-time, in the United States. | Free |
| Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program | Selected works will be read by various partner orchestras. Selected composers will receive $15000 commisions. https://americanorchestras.org/learn/artistic-programs/women-composers-readings-and-commissions-program/ | Women | See website |
| Vox Novus Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame Project Call For Scores | Vox Novus commissions fifteen 1-minute scores to be performed by that year's performer http://www.voxnovus.com/15_Minutes_of_Fame/calls/ | Anyone | Free |
| wasteLAnd Featured Composer | Performances of selected works on the wasteLAnd ensemble's concert series. https://www.wastelandmusic.org/featured-composer/ | Anyone | See website |
| Women Composers of Hartford Festival: Composer in Residence Application | The Composer-in-Residence will have her music showcased on the Festival, will give talks and masterclasses to area schools, participate in other outreach and publicity activities, compose a new work to be premiered at the Festival, and more. https://www.womencomposersfestivalhartford.com/ | Women composers | Free |