COMPOSITION COMPETITION
works for ensemble
works for solo instrument
Application deadline 20 August 2022
The Call for Scores is open to the students and alumni from all European Universities, Academies, Conservatories, Musikhochschulen and Music Schools that issue an academic qualification.
The students must be enrolled in one of the European institutions for Composition or Electronic Music. The Alumni (same subjects) must have graduated in the last two years, i.e. not before 20 August 2020.
Applicants will have to prove their enrollment or degree through a document issued by the institution.

RULES
1.
The competition is divided into two sections:
A. pieces for ensemble
B. pieces for solo instrument
Composition students and alumni of all nationalities, from all European Universities, Academies, Conservatories, Musikhochschulen and Music Schools that issue an academic qualification are eligible to participate in the selection by submitting:
section A – pieces for ensemble
one score for an ensemble of 4 to 6 musicians among the following ones: flute (also flute in G, bass flute and piccolo), clarinet (also E flat clarinet and bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, percussion.
Electronics (not live electronics) is admitted.
Maximum duration: 15 minutes
section B – pieces for solo instrument
one score for solo instrument among the following ones: flute (also flute in G, bass flute and piccolo), clarinet (also E flat clarinet and bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, percussion.
Electronics (not live electronics) is admitted.
Maximum duration: 8 minutes
Applicants for both sections must be enrolled in a composition course of a European public or private Academic Institution, or must have graduated not before 20 August 2020. A document issued by the academy, proving the current or past enrolment in the school, or the date of the degree, is required.
Students and alumni from some non EU countries – included in the Creative Europe program – may apply, too. List of non EU admitted countries
2.
Applicants must submit within 20th August 2022 this online form.
In the enrolment form applicants will be asked to attach:
- the score in pdf
- a copy of an ID document
- a curriculum vitae
- a document issued by the educational institution, proving their current or past enrolment in the school as student in composition or electroacustic composition.
For any question regarding the admitted courses, please write to info@dyce-project.eu.
3.
Original scores as well as scores that have already been published and/or performed are both eligible for submission.
They should not be anonymous.
A recording of the performance, if it was realised, may be attached, too.
4.
An international jury of 8 members will select by 10 September 2022
- 12 scores for ensemble, 3 from each of the 4 European Areas created by the DYCE project
- 8 scores for solo instrument, 2 from each of the 4 European Areas
The selected composers will be personally informed by email, and the selection will also be announced on DYCE’s website by 11 September 2022.
The 12 selected composers for ensemble will have to send the parts for the performance by 15 September 2022.
5.
The 20 chosen scores will be performed in four concerts by the four DYCE ensembles, and each ensemble will execute the 5 pieces belonging to its area (3 for ensemble, 2 for solo).
The four concerts will take place on 16 October 2022, at different hours in the four ensembles’ cities, with audio/video streaming broadcast from each concert hall to the other three.
In this way, during this day the audiences will listen to all 20 pieces: 5 live and 15 in streaming.
A special attention will be given to the quality of the streaming, in order to guarantee a perfect and pleasant listening to the audience.
After the concerts, the audience in the four ensembles’ cities and the ensembles’ members will vote and select the 4 best compositions for ensemble, among the 12 performed in the concerts. The 4 chosen scores will belong to a different European Area each, so that the 4 areas are equally represented.
This event will mark the completion of the Audience Development program (soon online).
The 8 solo pieces are not subject to further selection and participate directly in point 6 of this regulation.
6.
The 4 selected composers for ensemble will be commissioned with a 12-15 minutes new piece each, for the same instruments of the Call for scores: flute (also flute in G, bass flute and piccolo), clarinet (also E flat clarinet and bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, percussions.
Electronics (not live electronics) is admitted.
Each composer will receive the amount of € 3000 gross for the commission.
The scores and the parts of the new pieces must be sent to the ensembles by the 31st of March 2023.
The 8 composers for solo instrument will be commissioned with a 5-8 minutes new piece each, for a solo instrument of the candidate’s choice.
Electronics (not live electronics) is admitted.
Each composer will receive the amount of € 1500 gross for the commission.
Each composer for solo instrument will choose the musician for whom to write the new piece, possibly from among the students or alumni of their home academy. In this way, the composer-instrumentalist pair will be formed and will work together until the composition is completed and the new piece is performed in concert (May/June 2023).
Click here for further details on the work of the pairs.
7.
The 4 final concerts with the commissioned pieces for ensemble and for solo will be performed in the DYCE partners’ cities, in different dates in May/June 2023.
The 4 pieces for ensemble will be performed by the DYCE partner ensembles.
The 8 solo pieces will be performed by the musicians of the 8 pairs.
The 4 composers for ensemble will be invited to Milan, Oslo, Sevilla and Tallinn and will attend the rehearsals and the concerts, working closely with all the ensembles and the conductors.
The 8 couples (composer + performer) of the solo pieces will only be invited to the concert of the partner-ensemble from their DYCE region.
8.
Throughout the DYCE project the composers and musicians of the pairs will participate in DYCE’s communication activities, collaborating with the Storytellers and making short written or video interviews or presentations of their work themselves. More details will be provided at the beginning of the work.
This communication activity is an integral part of the project and is carried out with the support of the DYCE partners’ team. See the Call for Storytellers for further details.
9.
The composers’ and pairs’ expenses for travel, board and accommodation in Milan, Oslo, Sevilla and Tallinn are charged to DYCE.
10.
DYCE final convention will take place in Milan after the last concert (June 2023), attended by all protagonists: ensemble-partners, composers, performers, storytellers, AD lecturers, members of the academies, the public; journalists, critics, and all interested people are invited. Composers’ and pairs’ participation in the convention is compulsory. Composers for ensemble attend in person, the eight pairs attend online.
11.
Each applicant, by submitting his/her application to participate in the DYCE composition competition, agrees unconditionally to be bound by these rules
For further information:
