Young Composer Contest

Eligibility

• Composers under the age of 22 (born after 2004) who live on Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands.
• Composers from these regions who are currently studying elsewhere are also eligible to apply.

Composition Requirements

Compositions should:

• Depict a living organism or natural phenomenon one might encounter in the West Coast rainforest—for example, an animal, plant, stream, weather event, fungus, or other aspect of the natural environment.
• Be engaging and appeal to the imagination of young listeners ages 3–8.
• Be approximately 2–3.5 minutes in length.
• Be suitable for performance by the specified instrumentation below.
• May, but do not need to, include audience participation. Any participation should be appropriate for young children; the performance includes a storyteller who can lead and instruct the audience when needed.
• Be submitted as a PDF score.

Instrumentation

• Flute
• Cello
• Percussion (one percussionist). Available percussion instruments: Vibraphone, small tom, wood block, and small handheld percussion instruments, such as triangle, maracas, tambourine, etc. If you are unsure whether a particular percussion instrument can be accommodated, please inquire.

It is not necessary to use all three musicians. However, compositions must be written for a minimum of two musicians.

Prize Categories

• 1st Prize: $1,000 — The Annamaria Bamji Award for Emerging Musical Artists
• 2nd Prize: $500
• Best Composition by a Composer Under 18: $500
• Jury Special Awards: 2–5 prizes of $250

The jury will select 5–8 prize-winning compositions to be performed as part of the Victoria Symphony’s Symphony Story Time production 2027. The jury reserves the right to allocate the available prize funds differently, if desired. The jury will consist of a Representative from the Canadian Music Centre, the VS Composer-Mentor in Residence, the VS Outreach and Education Officer, and a VS musician.