1st Prize: 14,000 euros
2nd Prize: 7,000 euros
3rd Prize: 3,000 euros
| Sections | Composition |
| Deadline | 07 Mar - 31 Aug 2025 |
| Finals | 02 Nov 2025 |
| Where | Thessaloniki, Greece |
| Age groups | Composers of all nationalities born after the 2 November 1990 |
31 August 31 2025 Deadline for Application Submissions.
20 September 2025 Announcement of the 4 successful candidates, as selected based on the submitted application material.
30 September 2025 Confirmation of participation of the successful candidates & deadline for delivery of the musical material and scores at the Competition’s premises by the 4 finalists.
In case of an untimely response, refusal or inability to provide the necessary musical scores and relevant material that is requested, the position will be filled by the first runner-up contestant.
The Competition will:
cover travel expenses up to 700 euros for the transportation of the finalists to and from Thessaloniki on economy class (upon the announcement of the qualification results for the Final, further information will be sent to the contestants);
cover accommodation expenses (b&b) of the candidates, for a 4-star hotel which will be chosen by the Competition (upon the announcement of the qualification results, further information will be sent to the finalists). The Competition will cover the cost of two-night stays (1st and 2nd of November). The Competition may also cover the accommodation expenses for the night of the 31st of October at the same hotel, for any contestants who wish to be present for the pre-general rehearsal.
- Tan Dun, Conductor/Composer (President of the Jury)
- Dr. David Bruce, Composer
- Dr. Michalis Economou, Composer/Conductor/Artistic Director of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Christos Samaras, Greek Composer/Professor of Composition
- Christos Hatzis, Composer/Professor, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
- John Psathas, New Zealand-Greek Composer
The duration of a contestant’s composition must be between 10 minutes (minimum) and 20 minutes (maximum).
The contestants’ works must be original compositions which have not been submitted to participate in other competitions or have been performed or presented publicly.
The contestants are asked to compose original works for symphony orchestra. The orchestra will provide at maximum the following instruments:
Strings
12 first violins, 12 second violins, 10 violas, 8 cellos, 6 double basses
Winds
3 flutes (composers may request up to one piccolo flute and one alto flute, but not exceeding the number of 3 flute players in total), 3 oboes (one of which may be an English horn/Cor Anglais), 3 clarinets (composers may request up to one bass clarinet and one piccolo clarinet, but not exceeding the number of 3 clarinets players in total), 3 bassoons (one of which may be a contrabassoon), 3 trumpets, 4 French horns, 3 trombones (one of which may be a bass trombone), 1 tuba
Pitched Percussion:
1 percussionist with up to 5 Timpani
Up to 4 percussion musicians
List:
5 Timpani, Vibraphone, Marimba (5 octaves), Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells, Crotales (2 octaves), Rototoms, Bass Drum, Tom toms, Congas (pair), Bongos (pair), Timbales (pair), Octoban (4 pieces), Drumset, Snare drums, Tambourines, Temple Blocks (5 pieces), Woodblocks, Cajon, Claves, Shaker, Maracas, Caxixi, Guiro, Tamtam, Chimes, , Susp. Cymbals, Piatti, Cowbells (without pitch), Triangles, Flexatone, Thunder Sheet
1 Harp
1 Pianist / keyboard instrument performer who can play:
Piano, celesta, harpischord and pipe organ within the performing capabilities of a pianist.
Works that fail to meet the requirements stated above will be refused participation in the Competition and the application fee will not be refunded.