ICA 2027 Composition Competitions

Applications will open soon. 

The International Clarinet Association invites composers to submit original works for the 2027 ICA Composition Competitions.

The 2026 competition received more than 270 submissions from 36 countries across six continents, reflecting the international reach and continued growth of new music for the clarinet. The ICA looks forward to discovering and supporting another outstanding group of composers in 2027.

Two competition categories are offered:

• Solo Composition Competition
• Chamber Composition Competition

There is no application fee.

Important Dates

Solo Composition Competition

The ICA seeks original works featuring soprano clarinet in B-flat or A, approximately 5–15 minutes in length.

Eligible formats may include:

• clarinet and piano;
• unaccompanied clarinet;
• clarinet with electronic media; or
• other works in which the soprano clarinet functions as the featured solo instrument.

Works must have been completed January 2024 or later and must not have been performed previously at ClarinetFest®.

Chamber Composition Competition

The ICA seeks original chamber works for 2–5 performers, approximately 5–15 minutes in length.

Each work must feature at least one instrument from the clarinet family, including B-flat or A clarinet, E-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, or another member of the clarinet family. Other instruments may also be included.

A work for clarinet and piano only should be entered in the Solo Composition Competition rather than the Chamber Composition Competition.

Works must have been completed January 2024 or later and must not have been performed previously at ClarinetFest®.

Eligibility

The competition is open to composers seeking to contribute original works to the clarinet repertoire.

• Each composer may submit one work per category.
• Past ICA Composition Competition first-prize winners are not eligible to compete.
• A work may be submitted only to the category for which it meets the instrumentation requirements.
• All entrants agree to accept the decision of the adjudicators as final.

Submission Requirements

All materials must be submitted through the official ICA Composition Competition application form by the deadline.

Each submission must include:

1. Score

Submit one complete score in PDF format.

The score must be completely anonymous. It must not contain the composer’s name or any other information that could identify the composer.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• composer name;
• dedications that identify the composer;
• identifying acknowledgments or notes;
• identifying information in performance notes;
• identifying information in the filename; and
• identifying information embedded in the PDF document properties or metadata.

2. Recording

Submit one MP3 recording of the complete work.

A performance recording or MIDI/mock-up recording is acceptable.

The audio file must not contain identifying information in:

• the filename;
• embedded artist/composer metadata; or
• spoken announcements within the recording.

3. Application Form

Complete all required fields in the official submission form and upload the score and recording.

Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email after a successful submission.

Submissions are final once submitted and may not be edited or replaced. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all files carefully before submitting.

Anonymous Adjudication

The ICA Composition Competition is adjudicated through a blind review process.

Before materials are distributed for judging, submissions will be reviewed for compliance with the competition requirements. Identifying information will not be provided to adjudicators.

Submissions containing identifying information in materials intended for blind review may be disqualified.

The ICA New Music Committee will oversee the adjudication process and may invite additional guest adjudicators as needed.

Winners and any honorable mentions will be selected following the adjudication process. Entrants will be notified by email before the results are announced publicly.

Awards

The winner of each category will receive:

• a $1,000 USD prize;
• a performance of the winning work at ClarinetFest® 2027, July 7–11, 2027, in Salt Lake City, Utah, subject to the availability of the necessary performers and instrumentation; and
• complimentary registration to ClarinetFest® 2027.

Travel, lodging, and other related expenses are the responsibility of the winner.

The ICA will coordinate with the winning composers regarding performers and performance materials for ClarinetFest®.

Winning works will also be included in the ICA New Music Database.

Prize and Tax Information

The International Clarinet Association assumes no tax liability that competition winners may incur through receiving prize money. Winners are responsible for investigating applicable tax requirements and reporting prize winnings to the appropriate government agencies.

Applicable U.S. tax withholding requirements may apply to non-U.S. residents.

Additional payment and tax documentation will be provided directly to the winners.

Questions

Questions about the competition or submission process may be directed to:

Sayyod Mirzomurodov,
Composition Competition Coordinator
International Clarinet Association
[email protected]
clarinet.org