UCD School of Music: UCD Composition Prize 2027

UCD School of Music: UCD Composition Prize 2027
Deadline: Friday, 8 January 2027 at 3pm

The UCD School of Music has officially launched the forth year of the UCD Composition Prize.

The competition offers secondary school students across Ireland the opportunity to have their music performed in the National Concert Hall, with cash prizes awarded to the top three winning pieces.

The competition is open to Transition Year, 5th and 6th year or A-Level students studying anywhere on the island of Ireland.

How to Enter

Students are invited to submit an original composition for any combination of 1-4 instruments (almost any combination of instruments can be accommodated).

Students can write in any style. Submissions will be judged on the originality and coherence of the musical idea, how well the music is written for the chosen instruments, and how well-presented the score is.

Compositions should be submitted as pdf files with an accompanying recording or MIDI realisation if possible. (You can create a MIDI file using notation software such as Sibelius or Musescore.)

Include your name, contact details, and the name of your school.

There are cash prizes winning piece will be performed by the UCD Composition Ensemble in Ireland’s National Concert Hall on Thursday 22nd April 2027.

Entry is free to all. Email your submissions to composition@ucd.ie

Deadline: January 8th 2027

For more information visit ucd.ie/music/ensembles/ucdcompositionensemble/