Opportunity for Schools: The UCD Composition Prize 2026

UCD School of Music: UCD Composition Prize 2026
Deadline: Friday, 9 January 2026 at 3pm

The UCD School of Music has officially launched the third 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 and Leaving Cert / A-Level students studying anywhere on the island of Ireland.

Last year’s overall winner was 5th Year student Joe Liscoe from Dundalk Grammar School, with further prizes awarded to Charlie O’Donovan (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane), Freya O’Riordan (TY, Colaiste Pobail Naomh Mhuire, Cork), Tadhg O’Connell (6th Year, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Kerry), and Cormac Breathnach (Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny).

How to Enter

Students are invited to submit an original composition for any combination of 1-4 instruments. Compositions should be submitted as pdf files with an accompanying MIDI realisation (e.g. using notation software such as MuseScore, Sibelius, Finale, etc.)

Compositions will be judged on both their creative achievements (originality, strength of the creative ideas, etc.) and on their technical standard (clearly notated, well-written for the instruments, etc.), with additional consideration given to feasibility of performance. FAQs are answered on the website www.ucd.ie/music/ensembles/ucdcompositionensemble

A panel of UCD composition teachers and student members of the UCD Composition Ensemble will select three winning pieces to be awarded cash prizes.

Additionally, the first-place winner will have their work performed by the UCD Composition Ensemble in the National Concert Hall’s Kevin Barry Room on Friday April 24th 2026.

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

Deadline: 3pm Friday January 9th 2026.

If you would like to receive a poster for your school or any further information on the competition, please email Dr. Peter Moran at composition@ucd.ie or visit UCD Composition Ensemble website