Composers aged 18 and under are invited to submit works for piano (solo or four hands and between 2.5 and 5 mins long) on the theme of ‘Celebration’ – to mark The Surrey Hills International Music Festival Festival’s 15th season in May 2024.
The winning work will be performed as part of the 2024 Festival season (at The Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon) and the winner and two runners-up will receive cash prizes.
The Competition launched in 2022 as part of SHIMF’s celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Ralph Vaughan Williams, with whom the county has strong links. The first competition was won by 15-year-old Matty Oxtoby, with his piano trio On Reigate Hill. Oxtoby has since won the Joan Weller competition at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department.
SHIMF's artistic director Wu Qian said: ‘We are thrilled to announce our second Young Composer Competition, building on our charity’s commitment to encourage the next generation of composers and performers. Opportunities for all young people to experience music – be it as a listener, performer or creator – are fundamental to the future of classical music. Alongside this Competition, SHIMF is delighted to support the local String Scheme which delivers free tuition and instruments to local primary schools, and to provide performance platforms for promising young postgraduate musicians. The Young Composer Competition extends our educational initiatives to encompass secondary-age pupils and those with a specific interest in composition.’
The competition jury will comprise Wu Qian (pianist and SHIMF artistic director), Stephen Goss (composer and head of composition at the University of Surrey), Natalie Klouda (composer and violinist) and Huw Watkins MBE (composer).
The Young Composer Competition is open to composers living or attending school/college at a Surrey postal address at the closing date of Friday 23 February 2024. The winning work will be announced in March 2024.
