As a champion of new music, the League of Composers sponsors an annual composition competition to recognize outstanding new musical works.
PRIZES
Two prizes totaling $1,500 are awarded:
League of Composers-ISCM Prize: $1000 + New York performance + nomination to ISCM World Music Days
Steven R. Gerber Composition Prize: $500 + possible New York performance.
eligibility
All composers are eligible for all prizes. (Note: Only US citizens or those residing in the US can be selected to represent ISCM at the World Music Days.)
GUIDELINES
Composition Requirements: Works for solo instrument, small ensemble, or any combination up to a chamber orchestra may be submitted. Works featuring voice, choir, and/or electronic media will also be accepted. Works should be no longer than 20 minutes in duration. There are no stylistic limitations.
For works with more than 15 players, unusual combinations, or other practical problems, a different piece of the composer's may be substituted for the New York performance.
adjudication
The adjudication process is done anonymously. The judging panel is made up of members of the League of Composers Board of Directors.
DEADLINE
June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
Submission information & materials
Our submission process is entirely electronic. Since judging is done anonymously, all traces of the composer's name should be removed from submitted score and audio. No pseudonym is needed. If the work you wish to submit cannot be submitted through our online submission process, please contact us at info@leagueofcomposers.org.
Required Materials:
PDF of score (all traces of composer’s name removed)
MP3 recording (if available; 100MB limit; virtual realizations are accepted)
Entry fee ($25 per submission)
ENTRY Form
LEAGUE COMPETITION ARCHIVE
2024
League ISCM Prize: through depths and shadows by Justin Weiss
Gerber Prize: Sunburst by Charles Peck
Honorable Mentions
Siste Viator by Clay McMillan
Towdah by Joao Pedro Oliveira
Virtual…but real by Kaiyi Kao
What You Thought I Thought by Andrew Burke
2020
League ISCM Prize: as the light begins to drift by Paul Novak
Gerber First Prize: A Sybil by James Primosch
Gerber Second Prize: Bloom by Alex Stephenson
Honorable Mentions
Intermedio by Matthew Schultheis
Fälscherlieder by Matthew Ricketts
Estro Poetico-armonico by Yotam Haber
Années de pèlerinage: Italie by Claude Baker
2019
League ISCM Prize: Once Upon a Time… by Jiyhun Kim
Gerber Prize Co-Winner: Cosmographia by Daniel Godsil
Gerber Prize Co-Winner: Two Taylor Songs by Theo Chandler
Runner-Up: E piove in petto una dolcezza inquieta by Massimo Lauricella
2017
League ISCM Prize: Sparks and Flares by Michael Seltenreich
Gerber Prize Co-Winner: Depo Flux by Ken Steen
Gerber Prize Co-Winner: Gra-V by Vasiliki Krimitza
2014
League ISCM Prize: Aletheia by Huck Hodge
2013
League ISCM Prize: a quiet way by Eun Young Lee
2010
League ISCM Prize Co-Winner: Penumbrae by Luke Dahn
League ISCM Prize Co-Winner: Piano Trio by Jordan Kuspa