The BMI Composer Awards is an annual competition that recognizes young composers engaged in creating classical music. Established in 1951, the awards have a rich history of identifying and encouraging some of the most talented composers in the Western Hemisphere, including future Pulitzer Prize winners. The competition awards a total of $20,000 each year, with the most outstanding work receiving the Ellen Taaffe Zwilich Prize and the youngest winner earning the Carlos Surinach Prize.
Scholarship Details
- Total annual awards of $20,000
- Open to works for any instrumentation and in any classical genre
- Judged anonymously by a panel of esteemed classical composers
- Ellen Taaffe Zwilich Prize awarded for the "most outstanding" work
- Carlos Surinach Prize awarded to the youngest winner
- Winners honored at an award ceremony in New York City each spring
- Winning scores are archived at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be under the age of 28 as of February 15th
- Must be a resident of the United States or its territories, or a citizen of any country in the Western Hemisphere
- May only submit one application per BMI Foundation awards program
- May not submit the same musical work to more than one BMI Foundation awards program
- May reapply if they have not won more than two BMI Composer Awards (excludes Honorable Mention)
- Submitted works must not have won any other award or be under contract with a publisher or record label
- Works that use text not written by the applicant must have documented permission or be in the public domain
- Works must be submitted anonymously with no identifying marks beyond the title and composition
- Co-composed works are not eligible
Application Process
- Prepare your original classical music composition for submission
- Ensure the work is unpublished and not under contract with a publisher or record label
- Submit an online application through the BMI Foundation portal
- Ensure the score is submitted anonymously with no identifying information except the title
- Submit any supporting materials, such as text permissions (if applicable)
- Ensure the application is submitted before the deadline on February 15th
The BMI Composer Awards is an incredible opportunity for young classical composers to gain recognition from some of the most respected names in the music industry. If you have a passion for classical music and want to showcase your talent on a national stage, apply today and take your career to the next level!