West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival and CMC Ireland 2026 Emerging Composer Composition Competitions

Deadline: 2 April 2026 16:00

The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival and the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland are delighted to announce their continued partnership in providing opportunities for emerging composers through the festival’s two composition competitions.

This year’s competitions are for works for 1. Mezzo Soprano and Piano (for premiere performance at the May edition of the festival) and 2. Solo Oboe (for premiere performance at the November edition of the festival).

Emerging composers born or resident in Ireland (for the last 3 years) are invited to submit a piece between circa 3-5 minutes duration in either category. 

The first competition, for works for Mezzo Soprano and Piano with the winning work to be premiered at the May edition of the festival, is now open for submissions.

The second competition for works for Solo Oboe will open in September 2026.

Eligibility: 

The competitions are open to emerging/early career composers (composers who have not had works professionally published to date) currently based on the island of Ireland or holding Irish citizenship. 

Composers from under-represented and under-served communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Prize:

  • The winning composers will receive: €500 cash prize.
  • The world premiere performance of the winning work at the WWF Rising Stars Recital.
  • A Composer’s Voice interview with the winning composer, presented by the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.
  • Collaboration and rehearsal with performers, with additional support for disabled composers or those with specific needs.
  • Inclusion in festival publicity.

Notes for Applicants: 

  • Please submit only one work per category.
  • There should be no prior public performances of the submitted work. 
  • In order to ensure that entries are judged anonymously, the festival will only accept entries of scores with no mention of a composer’s name/address. 
  • Please note, previous winners of the competition are not eligible to apply.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Make your submissions via the festival's online application form including:

  • Proof of Irish citizenship/residency
  • An MP3 file, and a PDF score of the work (anonymous).

Competition Closing Dates

1. Work for Mezzo Soprano and Piano, to be premiered at the May edition of the West Wicklow Festival

Opens on 3 February, closes on Thursday 2 April, 4pm: Application Form Link

2. Work for Solo Oboe, to be premiered at the November edition of the West Wicklow Festival.

Applications for the competition will open in September 2026.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Tara at education@westwicklowfestival.com