Composer of the Year "Call For Scores"

We are excited to announce a "Call for Scores" for the 2024 Composer of the Year Competition! Click below for more info and how to apply!

Competition Summary

The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra is committed to educating, developing, and promoting American composers. The SCSO Composer of the Year Competition is designed to annually highlight one talented composer who is currently in the early stages of their professional career. In addition to a Five-Thousand US dollars ($5,000.00) monetary prize, the SCSO’s Composer of the Year will receive a premiere performance by the Sioux City Symphony, press/media coverage, scheduled lectures at selected local colleges and universities, and involvement in a variety of other community-related outreach programs.In addition to the performance, the Sioux City Symphony has arranged to broadcast and digitally archive the concert on its on-demand platform and app SCSO.LIVE. The Composer of the Year will be granted exclusive access to the post-concert release and any additional content, interviews, or behind-the-scenes footage from the featured concert and rehearsal process.

DEADLINE:
Applications must be received by Monday, May 13, 2024

WHO MAY APPLY:
US Citizens / Composers in the early stages of their professional career

ENTRY FEE:
There is no longer an entry fee for the SCSO’s Composer of the Year Competition

LIMITATIONS:
One (1) work per applicant will be considered
The composition must be between five (5) and fifteen (15) minutes in duration

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP:
Copy of passport or birth certificate

INSTRUMENTATION:
Maximum: 2 fl [1.2/pic], 2 ob [ 1.2/eh], 2 cl [1.2/bcl], 2 bsn [1.2/cbn], 4 hn, 2 tp, 2 tbn, 1b-tbn, timp +2, pf/cel, str

PRIZE:
Named SCSO Composer of the Year Five-Thousand US dollars ($5,000.00)
Premiere performance by the SCSO (Date TBD)

SCORE/RECORDING/BIO:
One (1) score in PDF format is to be emailed to the address below A recording is required. MIDI is acceptable
Short bio in PDF format (150 words max) emailed along with score

Meet our Past Recipients

The SCSO's Composer of the Year Competition is a prestigious event that has been instrumental in discovering and promoting new talent in music composition. Over the years, the Competition has attracted some of the brightest minds in music, who have utilized this platform to express themselves through the rich and diverse language of music.

Bobby Ge

2023 Composer of the Year
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Ryan Lindveit

2020 Composer of the Year
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Hilary Purrington

2019 Composer of the Year
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Patrick O'Malley

2018 Composer of the Year
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Saad Haddad

2016-17 Composer of the Year
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Michael Gilbertson

2014-15 Composer of the Year
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Emily Cooley

2013 Composer of the Year
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Roger Zare

2012 Composer of the Year
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Michael-Thomas Foumai

2011 Composer of the Year
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