The next edition of the Basel Composition Competition (BCC) will take place next year from 20 to 23 April 2027. Since 1 December 2025, composers may register on baselcompetition.com and submit a new, previously unperformed work for chamber or symphony orchestra.
The submission deadline is 16 October 2026. After the application period closes, an international jury of renowned composers chaired by Micheal Jarrell will select ten to twelve works, which will be announced at the end of November 2026. In April 2027, the nominated works will be performed in Basel by the Basel Chamber Orchestra, the Basel Symphony Orchestra and the Basel Sinfonietta. The three to four best compositions will be awarded at a final concert on 23 April 2027, including an audience award. With total prize money of CHF 100 000, the BCC is among the highest-endowed international composition competitions for contemporary music.
1st Prize — CHF 60,000
2nd Prize — CHF 25,000
3rd Prize — CHF 10,000
Audience Prize — CHF 5,000
Additional opportunities:
Through cooperation with Universal Edition, selected composers receive support for publication via scodo.
Benefits include:
- Voucher code allowing free submission of scores for evaluation
- Possible publication with Universal Edition if quality guidelines are met
- Up to two winners receive a free one-year scodo subscription
| Sections | Composition |
| Deadline | 01 Dec 2025 - 16 Oct 2026 |
| Finals | 20 - 23 Apr 2027 |
| Where | Basel, Switzerland |
| Age groups | No restrictions |
COMPETITOR EXPENSES
The Basel Composition Competition covers travel and accommodation for the selected competitors.
Additionally, each competitor receives a bursary of CHF 1,000 (included in prize money calculations).
Several prize winners of the Basel Composition Competition have gained international recognition and continued to develop significant careers. Some of the most notable composers include:
- Alex Nante - 2nd Prize (2019)
Composer-in-Residence with Orchestre National de Lille (2021–23)
World premiere of Symphony No.3 Anāhata at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg (2025), conducted by Kent Nagano
- Benjamin Scheuer - 1st Prize (2019)
Recipient of the Hindemith Prize at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival
- Yiqing Zhu - 1st Prize (2021)
Winner of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation Förderpreis (2025)
1 December 2025 - Applications open
Composers can register and submit a new, previously unperformed work for chamber or symphony orchestra.
16 October 2026 - Application deadline
Final date to submit applications and scores.
End of November 2026 - Selected works announced
The jury selects 10–12 compositions to be performed in the competition concerts.
20–22 April 2027 - Competition concerts
The nominated works are performed in Basel by the Basel Sinfonietta, Basel Symphony Orchestra, and Basel Chamber Orchestra.
23 April 2027 - Final concert and prize ceremony
The best three to four compositions are awarded prizes, including the Audience Prize.
The works submitted to the Basel Composition Competition are evaluated by an international jury of renowned composers and music professionals, chaired by Michael Jarrell. Other jury members include Unsuk Chin, Isabel Mundry, Andrea Scartazzini, and Dr. Florian Besthorn.
The selected compositions will be presented in three competition concerts by the Basel Sinfonietta, Basel Symphony Orchestra, and Basel Chamber Orchestra. The competition concludes with a final concert, where the best three or four compositions receive prizes.
All competition concerts are open to the public, giving audiences the opportunity to hear the nominated works performed live. In addition to the jury prizes, an Audience Prize is awarded at the final concert. Tickets for the 2027 competition concerts are expected to go on sale in January 2027, with CHF 30 standard tickets and free entry for pupils and students.
