About the CNM Young Composers Competition

The CNM Young Composers Competition, co-sponsored by Collage New Music and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, recognizes and supports the work of outstanding high school-age composers. The winning composer receives a cash prize of $500, a performance of his/her winning composition by Collage, and an additional performance by students of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School during their annual contemporary music festival, Today’s Youth Perform the Music of Today. The competition is judged by a panel of distinguished composers and performers.

Guidelines & Eligibility

Applicants must be residents of the United States, born on or after January 1, 1990, who have not yet graduated from high school.

To be eligible for consideration, submitted compositions must be wholly original works scored for no fewer than two and no more than eight instruments -- one to a part -- drawn from among the following: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, harp, piano, percussion. Works requiring amplification, computers, electronic tape, or CD cannot be considered. Although works shorter than 15 minutes are preferred, works of any length will be considered.

Each applicant may submit up to three works for consideration. Please enclose entry and teacher certification forms (see below) for each.

All submissions must be postmarked by June 1, 2007 and must contain:

Completed entry and teacher certification forms - Download here. In completing these forms, please type or print legibly, as it is important that we be able to contact you with any questions.

Score(s) of work(s) to be considered - Please do not send performance parts. Scores do not need to be submitted anonymously, but if you wish to submit your score anonymously, you may do so, using a social security number (or the equivalent) as an identifier, provided that number also appears on your entry form. Note: recordings will not be considered during the judging process. Judging will be done on the basis of the score alone.

Application fee - There is no application fee.

Stamped, self-addressed envelope - Only necessary if you would like materials returned to you.

Please send materials, via US Postal Service or FedEx, by the postmark deadline of June 1, 2007, to:

     Young Composers Competition
     Collage New Music
     PO Box 230150
     Boston, MA 02123

If you have any questions, please contact david@collagenewmusic.org for additional information.

Previous Winners

2005-2006 - Eugene Birman
2004-2005 - Zachary Bernstein & Sebastian Chang
2003-2004 - Ryan Gallagher & Gregg Wramage
2002-2003 - Anna Lindemann
2001-2002 - Marc Macauley
2000-2001 - Ben Hackbarth
1998-1999 - Narah Chung