BPO Composition Competition
The Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra, in support of its ongoing mission to give recognition to talent in the field of classical music, announces the opening of its BPO Composition Competition for 2024 - 2025 (performance in spring 2025)
This competition is for composers ages 18 and older, and the winner will be named BPO composer competition winner with the Baltimore Philharmonia during the 2021 spring concert rehearsal and performance cycle . The orchestra will premiere the competition-winning composition during the April 2022 concert at another venue.
To qualify, the composition must be no longer than 8 minutes in duration and must be written for an orchestra not to exceed: 3(2+piccolo) - 3(2+English horn) - 3(2+bass clarinet) - 2 / 4-3-3-1 / strings, percussion (timpani + 3; standard orchestral equipment only), one piano. The composition should not feature a soloist. Short solos from within the ensemble are acceptable.
For complete score and parts requirements, see "BPO Submission Requirements" (PDF) at the bottom of this page.
If you have any further questions, please contact us through the website..
Application Process/Entry Submission Requirements
There is a $50.00 (USD) entrance fee. This fee is added to the scholarship that is awarded to help further the musical studies of a deserving music student at the high school level or college level. Payment can be made via the donation tab on the home page.
Applicants must submit via mail:
• Two printed scores of a representative composition. This is a blind application process. No name or identifying marks, other than title, should be marked on the score.
Applicants must submit via email:
• An mp3 recording (live or midi) may also be submitted. Include only the title of the work as it appears on the corresponding score.
• Resume and/or brief biography of no more than 250 words.
Submission Mailing Address (for scores):
Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra
9613-C Harford Rd., Box 527
Parkville, MD 21234
Submission Email Address (for resume/bio and mp3):
Subject: Attn: BPO Composer Competition
Contact: Philip Ravita at
[email protected]
Completed submissions will be accepted beginning July 15, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. on January 1 2021. No late entries will be accepted. The competition judges will evaluate all eligible applications without exception. Decisions of the judges are final. Applicants will be notified by email of the results no later than January 20, 2023.
Competition Eligibility Rules
1. The Competition is open to composers and collegiate composition students 18 years of age or older as of July 1, 2020. If a student is a collegiate participant (undergraduate or graduate), a letter of recommendation from participant's composition instructor must accompany the submission.
2. Entry in this competition constitutes the contestant’s authorization to use his or her name, photographs and biographical information for publicity purposes.
3. By entry in this competition, applicant certifies that all licensing and rights for performance, audio and video recording of the submitted work and commissioned work is legally authorized with no financial liability to the Baltimore Philharmonia.
4. The Baltimore Philharmonia reserves the right to dismiss any applicant if his or her application is found to be ineligible or misleading in any way. Such disqualification may be made at any time, up to and including the date of the scheduled performance. A disqualified applicant will forfeit the residency experience, and the Baltimore Philharmonia will have sole discretion to award the opportunity to an alternate candidate.
Winner’s Obligations
1.The winner will be named Composer-in-Residence with the Baltimore Philharmonia for the 2021 spring rehearsal and concert cycle. An audio and video recording of the composer’s performed works may be made by the composer at the composers expense.. These recordings are to be made available to the Baltimore Philharmonia for use on the
Baltimore Philharmonia website and for promotional purposes..
2. The winner is required to attend at least one rehearsal during a week involving composer’s work (Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm.), in addition to the concert(s). A working rehearsal will be mutually agreed upon by Music Director and candidate
3. A digital photograph and brief biography of the winner is requested for publicity purposes. The image should be a minimum of 2” x 3” at 300 dpi. This photograph must be free of duplication restrictions. Please include a photo credit if one is required. The biography should be no more than 200 words.
This competition is for composers ages 18 and older, and the winner will be named BPO composer competition winner with the Baltimore Philharmonia during the 2021 spring concert rehearsal and performance cycle . The orchestra will premiere the competition-winning composition during the April 2022 concert at another venue.
To qualify, the composition must be no longer than 8 minutes in duration and must be written for an orchestra not to exceed: 3(2+piccolo) - 3(2+English horn) - 3(2+bass clarinet) - 2 / 4-3-3-1 / strings, percussion (timpani + 3; standard orchestral equipment only), one piano. The composition should not feature a soloist. Short solos from within the ensemble are acceptable.
For complete score and parts requirements, see "BPO Submission Requirements" (PDF) at the bottom of this page.
If you have any further questions, please contact us through the website..
Application Process/Entry Submission Requirements
There is a $50.00 (USD) entrance fee. This fee is added to the scholarship that is awarded to help further the musical studies of a deserving music student at the high school level or college level. Payment can be made via the donation tab on the home page.
Applicants must submit via mail:
• Two printed scores of a representative composition. This is a blind application process. No name or identifying marks, other than title, should be marked on the score.
Applicants must submit via email:
• An mp3 recording (live or midi) may also be submitted. Include only the title of the work as it appears on the corresponding score.
• Resume and/or brief biography of no more than 250 words.
Submission Mailing Address (for scores):
Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra
9613-C Harford Rd., Box 527
Parkville, MD 21234
Submission Email Address (for resume/bio and mp3):
Subject: Attn: BPO Composer Competition
Contact: Philip Ravita at
[email protected]
Completed submissions will be accepted beginning July 15, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. on January 1 2021. No late entries will be accepted. The competition judges will evaluate all eligible applications without exception. Decisions of the judges are final. Applicants will be notified by email of the results no later than January 20, 2023.
Competition Eligibility Rules
1. The Competition is open to composers and collegiate composition students 18 years of age or older as of July 1, 2020. If a student is a collegiate participant (undergraduate or graduate), a letter of recommendation from participant's composition instructor must accompany the submission.
2. Entry in this competition constitutes the contestant’s authorization to use his or her name, photographs and biographical information for publicity purposes.
3. By entry in this competition, applicant certifies that all licensing and rights for performance, audio and video recording of the submitted work and commissioned work is legally authorized with no financial liability to the Baltimore Philharmonia.
4. The Baltimore Philharmonia reserves the right to dismiss any applicant if his or her application is found to be ineligible or misleading in any way. Such disqualification may be made at any time, up to and including the date of the scheduled performance. A disqualified applicant will forfeit the residency experience, and the Baltimore Philharmonia will have sole discretion to award the opportunity to an alternate candidate.
Winner’s Obligations
1.The winner will be named Composer-in-Residence with the Baltimore Philharmonia for the 2021 spring rehearsal and concert cycle. An audio and video recording of the composer’s performed works may be made by the composer at the composers expense.. These recordings are to be made available to the Baltimore Philharmonia for use on the
Baltimore Philharmonia website and for promotional purposes..
2. The winner is required to attend at least one rehearsal during a week involving composer’s work (Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm.), in addition to the concert(s). A working rehearsal will be mutually agreed upon by Music Director and candidate
3. A digital photograph and brief biography of the winner is requested for publicity purposes. The image should be a minimum of 2” x 3” at 300 dpi. This photograph must be free of duplication restrictions. Please include a photo credit if one is required. The biography should be no more than 200 words.
| scores_and_parts_to_bpo_ver_2023.pdf |