The National Music & Global Culture Society announces the NMGCS IV International Composition Competition to recognize outstanding new full-scale musical works inspired by Azerbaijani folk songs.
Prizes
Three prizes totaling $3,500 will be awarded:
First Prize
- $2,000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Second Prize
- $1,000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Third Prize
- $500
- Certificate of Excellence
- Performance at the Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York, USA
- Performance at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan
Publication
The best works selected by the jury (including prize-winning works) will be published in the USA.
Eligibility
The competition is open to composers of all nationalities with no age restrictions.
Composition Requirements
An original composition for solo instrument or small ensemble (up to 5 instruments), based on one or several of ten (10) pre-selected Azerbaijani folk songs must be submitted.
Check the melodies here: Pre-selected Melodies
Contestants may also use any other Azerbaijani folk songs, IN ADDITION to the obligatory one(s).
Pieces featuring voice will also be accepted (the number of performers should not exceed 5). Submitted works should not exceed 15 minutes in duration.
There are no stylistic limitations.
The title of the piece should accurately mirror the title of the Azerbaijani folk song from which it is derived. Name of participant should not be included in the music score to maintain the integrity of the “Blind Jury” procedure.
Instruments
The composer may use only one of the instruments listed below (except violin and voice):
- piano, violin (up to 2 in the ensemble), viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, or oboe
- voice (up to 2 in the ensemble): soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone
To apply
All candidates must submit the following materials online no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on July 1, 2024.
Each candidate should submit only one composition.
Large files can be submitted via third parties such as Google Drive or WeTransfer.
- PDF copy of the original score
- MP3 recording (MIDI realizations are accepted)
- Short Bio or CV
- A $10 non-refundable entry fee
Judging
The Competition Jury will include distinguished composers. A blind jury process will be used. The Jury decision will be final. Winners of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prizes will be announced on September 18, 2024, on Music Day of Azerbaijan. The results of the competition will be published worldwide.