NCEM launches Young Composers Award 2023

The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) has announced the launch of the NCEM Young Composers Award 2023. Revealed on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show, the award is given annually in partnership with BBC Radio 3.

Composers under 25 which are resident in the UK are invited to submit a new work for 2023 competition partner artists The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. Submissions must be based on a popular tune from the Spanish 'Golden Age' of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Gawain Glenton, the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble’s co-director, said: ‘A key part of our mission as an ensemble is to expand the horizons of our beautiful instruments. We’re therefore thrilled to return as this year’s ensemble-in-residence and can’t wait to see what the young composers write for us.’

Composers selected for the competition short-list will attend a collaborative workshop at the NCEM in York led by composer Christopher Fox and The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. The NCEM will meet all travel and accommodation costs for the selected applicants.

In the evening the shortlisted pieces will be performed for a panel of judges including members of the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble as well as BBC Radio 3 producer Les Pratt, and NCEM director Delma Tomlin. Two winning compositions will be chosen, one for each of the competition’s two age categories: 18 and under, and 19 to 25.

The winning works will be premiered at Manchester’s Stoller Hall in November 2023. The concert will be recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show. Composers must register their interest by 17 February 2023, with scores submitted by 17 March. More details, including how to apply, can be found here.