presented in association with
BBC Radio 3 and The Brook Street Band
Are you a composer aged up to 25?
Interested in hearing your work broadcast on BBC Radio 3?
Then read on - and register your interest by 12 noon, Friday 7 February
NCEM
YOUNG COMPOSERS
AWARD 2025
The National Centre for Early Music and BBC Radio 3 invite you to write a new piece for leading baroque ensemble The Brook Street Band.
The Award is open to young composers resident in the UK up to and including the age of 25, and is judged in two age categories: 18 and under, and 19–25.
We invite you to compose a new trio sonata movement, for two violins, cello, and harpsichord. You should explore a particular musical world and character in your piece lasting between three and four minutes, thinking especially about the interplay between the instruments. We suggest that you take a movement from Handel’s Opus 5 Trio Sonatas as a reference point. Please see the Terms & Conditions for full details about the music brief.
Don’t forget to register by 12 noon on Friday 7 February!
Registration closes at 12 noon, Friday 7 February, with the deadline for submission of scores on Friday 7 March. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by Friday 4 April and will be invited to attend the Award Day in York on Thursday 16 May. NCEM will provide accommodation and cover appropriate travel costs.
The annual NCEM Young Composers Award was launched in 2008 and is the only such scheme in the UK. It offers a unique opportunity for young composers to engage with the instruments and performance styles of early music, and to work with leading professional early musicians. In bridging the worlds of ‘early’ and ‘new’ music, the Award complements the NCEM’s education policy, to support and nurture young composers and demonstrate to all participants that the music of previous centuries is relevant to today’s creative endeavours.
This year the National Centre for Early Music is working with The Brook Street Band.
The winning pieces will be premiered at the love:Handel festival , an annual festival run by The Brook Street Band in and around Norwich.
How to apply
Application is a two-stage process
Register
Complete the form and submit it by 12 noon on Friday 7 February.
When you register you’ll receive a link to the Application form.
Apply
Read the Terms and Conditions for full details of what to write and how to apply. Then complete the Application form, upload your score, and submit it by 12 noon on Friday 7 March.
Register your interest
Register by 12 noon on 7 February
You’ll receive an email with the link to the application form. If you don’t see it, check your Spam folder or email info.composers@ncem.co.uk
