The Memphis Composers Institute, a partnership between The Memphis Symphony, the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music of the University of Memphis, and The Walden School, announces a call for orchestra scores.

Memphis Composers Institute invites composers in the early stages of their orchestral composing careers to submit one orchestra work for a chance to be performed by the Memphis Symphony. The selected composers are required to attend a three-day event, April 6-8, 2027, including rehearsals, panel discussions, and a performance of their works by the Memphis Symphony.

The deadline for submissions to the 2027 Memphis Composers Institute is December 7, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Open to composers of all ages and nationalities at the early stages of their orchestral composing career.‍ 
  • There is no application fee for this opportunity. 
  • Composers must commit to attend in person. Memphis Composers Institute will provide travel reimbursement up to $650. Local accommodations will be provided. In the event of a cancellation due to a weather event, the Memphis Composers Institute will make good faith efforts to reschedule.
  • Preference will be given to composers whose orchestral works have been performed (not read) fewer than three times in a formal setting. 
  • Each applicant may make one submission. 
  • Previous winners are ineligible to apply.

Instrumentation:
The work must be scored only for the following instruments, and should use most of them:

  • 2 Flutes (1 doubling Piccolo)
  • 2 Oboes; Oboe 2 can double on English Horn
  • 2 Clarinets in Bb or A; Clarinet 2 can double on Clarinet in Eb or Bass Clarinet
  • 2 Bassoons    
  • 2 Horns in F
  • 2 Trumpets in C
  • 1 Tenor Trombone
  • 1 Tuba
  • Timpani plus 1 Percussion 
  • Piano/Celesta/Synthesizer (1 player)
  • Harp
  • Strings (55432)

This is the complete list of available instruments. No soloists or electronic instruments are permitted, aside from the listed synthesizer. Submissions that call for any instrument or sound-making device that is not on this list (other than percussion played by the one percussionist), or require more orchestral players than listed, will be disqualified from consideration. Please check your submission’s instrumentation carefully against the list of instruments above.

Duration:
Compositions should be approximately 10 minutes in length, and will not be considered if more than 12 minutes in length.

Submission Materials:

  • IMPORTANT: A full score in PDF format is required, with all identifying information removed, including any names or details in the program notes. The goal is to ensure complete anonymity for all applicants.
  • An audio recording or MIDI realization is strongly recommended.
  • File names should match the titles of the work. For instance, if the work’s name is Turangalîla Symphonie, the filenames should be TurangalilaSymphonie.pdf and TurangalilaSymphonie.mp3. In no instances should any part of the composer’s name appear in the filename that is submitted. 

Entry Fee:
There is no fee to apply.

How to Submit:
Submit your application and scores for consideration at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCI2027

Submission Deadline:
All materials must be received by Monday, December 7, 2026, 11:59 pm Central Standard Time.

Three composers will be selected for this opportunity:

  • One current student or alum of the University of Memphis
  • One current student or alum of The Walden School. This includes applicants of any age who have attended one or more summer sessions of Walden’s Teacher Training Institute, Creative Musicians Retreat, or Young Musicians Program, and applicants who attended the Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC). 
  • One unaffiliated composer

Selection Process:

  • The selection process will be conducted in several stages and will be anonymous until the final round.
  • Initial Screening: An administrative review will be conducted to ensure all submissions meet the guidelines.
  • Eligible works will be reviewed by a panel.
  • Finalist Selection: Several finalists will be selected from each affiliation. (University of Memphis, The Walden School, and “Unaffiliated”)
  • One winner will be selected from each affiliation.

Benefits for Selected Composers:

  • Rehearsals and public performance of the selected works by the Memphis Symphony.
  • A high-level archival recording of the performance of the piece by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will be provided for the composer’s personal and private use only, in accordance with MSO’s current Integrated Media Agreement.
  • Panel discussions with musicians and fellow composers.
  • Edcuational outreach opportunities in the Memphis area with local schoolchildren, youth amateur music programs, and college music departments. 
  • Networking and collaborative engagement opportunities.

Additional Information:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone at 415-587-8157 or via email at memphiscomposers@waldenschool.org.

Previous Years:

In the Spotlight: Caroline Mallonee and the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute

In the Spotlight: Dede Ondishko and the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute

Highlights from the 2025 Memphis Composers Institute