Call for Entries: International Composition Competition

Eligibility Criteria

• The impuls Composition Competition is an international competition.
• Applying composers must not be born before 1990.
• Application starts on May 31st, 2024 and ends on October 31st, 2024

Judging Criteria

• A jury consisting of composers, musicians respectively other experts will nominate 4-5 composers. The jury´s decision will be published by spring 2025 on this website and notification will be given also to applicants by then.
• As part of the impuls Composition Competition, impuls will then commission new works for ensemble. Expected length: approximately 15 minutes, score of new composition due to June 2026, parts of composition due to October 1st, 2026 after feedback by ensemble. Selected composers are also invited to take part in the impuls Composition Workshop, including extensive rehearsals, accompanying activities and to attend the premiere of their works with a first-class ensemble such as Klang forum Wien within the impuls Festival 2027.

Selection Criteria

• The selected composers will be offered by impuls:
  • Travel expenses (within Europe: economy flight or second-class rail ticket; from overseas: a contribution up to a maximum of € 600.)
  • Living expenses: hotel (if needed) plus per diem of € 26,40. (throughout the duration of the workshop and days of premiere and accompanying activities)
  • At the latest upon delivery of the score and the complete musical material – by the deadlines given – the composers will receive a one-time payment of € 2,900. With this payment all rights concerning the public performance within impuls 2027, possible live-recording and broadcasting as well as the publishing of a CD are compensated.

Application Requirements

• Application for impuls. International Composition Competition must include:
  • The completed application form (download PDF download DOCX file).
  • All the following material (a-f, submission to be written in English) has to be processed the following way: Please create a file for each of the points 2 a-f (written documents and scores in PDF format, music video files in MP3 MP4 format).
    • A copy of the completed application form. Please make sure to include: full name date and place of birth postal and e-mail addresses, telephone numbers
    • Biography, a list of works and info on current activities including also information on concerts, infos on interpreters of your works, studies etc.
    • A concept for a new piece for ensemble to be written on selection at this competition. Please make sure that the concept is created for +-12 musicians chosen from a pool of musicians:
    • 2x flute (doubling piccolo, alto, bass)
    • 1x oboe (doubling English horn, heckelphone, oboe d’amore)
    • 2x clarinet (A cl., Bb cl., Eb cl., bass cl., double bass cl.)
    • 1x bassoon (doubling contraforte)
    • 1x saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone sax)
    • 1x horn (doubling Wagner tuba)
    • 1x trumpet (doubling piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn)
    • 1x trombone (doubling tenor horn, bass trumpet, alto trombone, tenor trombone)
    • 1x accordion (button accordion)
    • 1x harp
    • 1x piano (doubling celesta, harmonium)
    • 2x percussion
    • 2x violin
    • 1x viola
    • 1x cello
    • 1x double bass (5-string)
  • At least one score of a piece already written for ensemble (written for a minimum of 10 musicians up to approximately 20 musicians please do not hand in orchestral works nor small chamber music pieces)
  • A commentary on the piece, including its title, instrumentation and duration
  • At least one recording (must not necessarily be of the score handed in)

For more information, visit Impuls.