South African Composers’ Competition 2025

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) is a big part of South Africa’s cultural scene.

Founded in 1914, the CPO has evolved into one of Africa’s most dynamic and versatile orchestras, captivating audiences with its world-class performances.

Financially and artistically robust, the CPO collaborates with top-tier international artists and presents a diverse repertoire, from classical masterpieces to contemporary works.

Through initiatives like the South African Composers’ Competition, the CPO actively fosters and nurtures South Africa’s upcoming musical talent.

About South African Composers’ Competition 2025

The South African Composers’ Competition is an annual event designed to empower young South African composers (aged 35 or younger).

It provides a platform to showcase their original orchestral compositions and gain valuable recognition within the music industry.

The competition welcomes entries for symphonic works between 5 and 15 minutes in duration.

South African Composers’ Competition Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the South African Composers’ Competition 2025, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a South African citizen
  2. Be 35 years old or younger (born on or after October 31, 1989)
  3. Agree to and abide by the competition rules (available as a PDF download)
  4. Not be a previous winner of the competition
  5. Not be a member of the competition’s jury or organizing committee

South African Composers’ Competition Application Requirements

Applications for the South African Composers’ Competition 2025 are exclusively accepted online.

Please ensure you adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. One Composition per Applicant: Each participant can submit only one original, unpublished, and unperformed orchestral composition.
  2. Composition Specifications: The submitted piece must be between 5 and 15 minutes long and free from any contractual obligations.
  3. Instrumentation: The competition allows for a wide range of instrumentation, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion (limited), keyboard, harp, celeste, selected traditional African instruments, and electronic instruments. The maximum orchestra size is 55 players. Solos for instruments or voice are not eligible.
  4. Originality: Arrangements of existing works will be disqualified.
  5. Copyright: Composers retain ownership of their work, but the CPO reserves the right to use the compositions for promotional purposes.
  6. Submission Format: Pre-recorded or entirely electronic compositions will not be accepted.

In addition to your composition, you must submit the following supporting documents electronically:

  1. ID Document: A clear copy of your South African identification document.
  2. Score: A clear and legible PDF score generated from music notation software. The first page must prominently display the duration and title of your composition. Ensure the score is anonymous (no identifying information) to maintain impartiality during judging. Explanations for unique performance techniques or forms are permitted, but only in Italian, English, German, or French musical terms.
  3. Audio Demo: An MP3 audio demo of your composition, labeled with the title only.
  4. Recent Photo: A digital photo of yourself taken within the last three months, with a minimum size of 1MB.

South African Composers’ Competition Closing Date

The deadline for submitting your application to the South African Composers’ Competition 2025 is October 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM CAT.

Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Contact South African Composers’ Competition

For any inquiries related to the competition, please contact the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) directly:

  1. Contact Person: Neil Robertson
  2. Email: [email protected]