Federal Youth Composition Competition 'Jugend komponiert'

Rules & repertoire

Registration & fee

• Submit by 6 January 2027. As of that date, entrants must be aged 12–22, be German citizens or live in Germany, and have not started a degree with composition as their major. Junior students may apply.
• Submit an individually authored score. An entry may already have been performed or entered in another competition, and normally may only be submitted once to Jugend komponiert. The published eligibility rules do not list recommendation letters.
• Register online and wait for the confirmation email. Download, complete and sign the work-submission form. Send it with the declaration and score(s) by email or post. Postal entries use the 6 January 2027 postmark. The registration page is headed 2027, but one consent checkbox still displays the prior edition.

Rounds & time limits

Anonymous score assessment · Category 1 chamber music

• Write for combinations of oboe, clarinet in A or B-flat, bass clarinet, alto saxophone and bassoon. The organizer particularly welcomes the full wind quintet or a duo from this lineup. Piano is allowed only with at least one of the listed winds. Maximum duration about five minutes.

Anonymous score assessment · Categories 2 and 3

• Category 2: solo oboe, A or B-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, or bassoon. Category 3: any scoring outside Categories 1 and 2, including other solo or chamber combinations, voice, choir, experimental concepts or electronic sound.

Repertoire

• The jury assesses compositional intent, craft, instrumental writing and readability of the score. It also considers the entrant’s age and previous training. Category 1 winners must provide performance materials immediately after results. Workshops take place 30 March–4 April and 6–14 August 2027.

Source: 2027 instrument combinations and schedule · 2027 eligibility and submission conditions · Workshops and prize concerts · 2027 registration and submission form · 2027 work-submission form